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. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    GTG here?

    Pope
    Taa, ota, soy
    Mane(c), mahrez, son, mcginn
    Tammy, pukki, aguero

    Rico, Lund, nakamba

    1ft, 0.8itb

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      g2g pal. I like the Mane captain pick especially if Wan Biss is still out.

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

        Just too many options, think pool will stuff them , thanks

    2. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      All good just not sure on C pick.

  2. Another Hoops
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Currently on Aguero as captain this week because he's on the telly later. Should I play it safe and captain Tammy instead though?

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

      Aguero is the safer choice imo

    2. JammySprat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would captain the one you think scores more -_-

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

        You'll be recruited onto the Pro Pundits team if you keep coming up with that kind of logic.

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

          Consistency of that quality advice is a challenge but I will try

    3. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all, I'm going to stick with Serge and watch him blank at Selhurst Park again. I believe he's never scored there so he's due right 😉

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'll be joining you on Agüero, I think...

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        At least we can be disappointed together. Tammy is obviously a good choice but the fact Aguero's on TV edges it for me. Fingers crossed for an early assist.

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

    Would you rather,

    A. Aubameyang and Maddison
    B. Sterling and Jiménez

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

      Ugh sorry, A is Aguero and Maddison.
      B. Sterling and Jiménez

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on Aguero and Maddison.

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

          Thanks Andrei

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

      A

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

        Thank you

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

      A but do like Jimmy

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

    All the Gear (Free Transfers) and No Idea

    Tempted to bet against all the mugs in this game and hope a Tammy-Mount blank...maybe bring Jiminez-KDB instead...

    QUESTION:

    Who has opted for a loft extension - what type did you go for (i.e. hip gable etc) and ballpark costs?

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

      I have not, but its at least 15k.

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

        Thanks just been quoted £45k for a one bed loft (price excludes bathroom en suite furnishings)

        #Kent

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

      I had one done a few years ago.
      £35k double bedroom, with en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.
      Had a high pitched roof so didn’t need dormer windows.

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

        Roof height is the issue. Also already had kitchen extension so apparently anything I do will require planning permission

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

          If you need dormer windows then £45k is probably about right, especially in south east.
          Mine was done five years ago now, in Milton Keynes.

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

            I'll prob look to remortgage then as I had mentally prepared myself for £35k, can't believe they so expensive!

            Alternative is to just do a downstairs toilet...

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

      You might regret not owning KDB

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

        Trying to reach a compromise in brining KDB next week when assured of starts/minutes

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

      Where do you live? £45k is steep

      Anywhere outside the southeast and you won’t even get your money back

      I’d say even then it would be advisable to move rather than extend into your roof

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

    Switching the armband from Abraham to KDB. Good idea?

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

      Probably

    2. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This is my dilemma above. I have KDB and Aguero and currently on Aguero ahead of Tammy. What are your thoughts?

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

        I’ve also got Aguero and considering captain for him too. I think KDB is the safer choice though.

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

      Wait and do it at 11.29 am so you can't switch back.

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

        Or log off now

  6. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is aguero to kane short term madness?

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

      No

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

      Madness that I am doing anyway

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

    Aub or Sterling if already have KDB?

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

      Auba

    2. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero?

    3. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling. City create more chances but I don't think you can go wrong with either pick for the next few weeks. It depends who is your other forward and midfielder if you go Auba or Sterling.

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

        Thanks. Main difference is with Auba I can have Pereira, whereas there is a downgrade to Soyu with Sterling.

  8. Blame it on Traore
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Swap Diop for Tomori this week for free? Thanks a lot guys

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

      If you don't have any other pressing issues

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

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

    Didn't think I'll be saving the FT and have a benching dilemma 10 days ago.

  10. Ferris Bueller
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Mahrez > KDB for a free?
    B) Stick

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

      Stick

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

      Difficult this one ... would go A just

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

      This is my dilemma. I'm thinking of sticking. Even if Mahrez dosen't start he will come on if City struggling to bring Palace down.

    4. JammySprat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB

    5. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A for me but it’s a tight one

    6. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Do it

    7. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB because you know you're going to make the transfer anyway.

    8. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A as Mahrez might not even play

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

    Start 1
    (Leaning towards saka atm)

    A saka
    B Cantwell
    C Rico

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

      A, B, C in that order

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

        Cheers

  12. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Morning. This rugger is going to be tight so before I’m 15 Guinness long, play Pukki or Ota? Pukki yeah?

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

      Yeah

    2. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah Pukki and log out of your phone. I'm pleading with you! Please don't FPL & drink... only bad things can happen! 😉

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Haha you are not wrong, the ole drunken brave Captain has happened before, must log off, must log off

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

      Fwd over a def especially this season with cleaners being random as they are

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yep cheers all Pukki in

  13. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you play?

    A) Digne (WHU)
    B) Cantwell (bou)

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

      A

    2. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  14. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who are u all putting the C armband on???

    I’m currently on Tammy.

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

      Sterling

    2. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Agüero

    3. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ague-no points today 🙁 After capping Pukki last week I'll take an assist and a yellow.

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

      Me too, but don't feel great about it.

  15. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What would You change in this WC team?
    Bit worried about not having Auba/Aguero, also cant decide if I should replace Salah with Mane bearing in mind that Salah might not play and were struggling recently

    Heaton/Gazza
    Robbo/Tomori/Soy/Rico/Lundstram
    Salah/Sterling/Kdb/Mount/Cantwell
    Abraham/Wilson/Connolly

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

      I've got the same draft currently except Trent and Maddison

  16. GuillermoDickero
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is anyone else suffering with the should I / shouldn't I play a wildcard?

    I look at my team and it's not a necessity. I could make improvements to the team. I don't want to get to end of December and just play it for the sake of it

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

      Depends on the team

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

      I bet you transferred out KDB for the injury and now Luke warm team

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

        I kept KDB actually!

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Me too. Was all for it but since Injuries seems to have cleared up over the IB I'm thinking of a hit to just tidy things up. After the November IB, which is just around the corner I'm thinking it will be far better to use.

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

        Yeah I keep telling myself that the next IB will be the time to play it but when it comes round it never is! Haha

  17. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah & Pukki to Mane & Wilson (c) -4 yes or no?

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

      Not sure

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nope

    3. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No pal.

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      could work yeah

  18. JammySprat
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Looking forward to Pukki VS Wilson today. Would be good to own both!

  19. syke63
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mane or Salah on wc?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Depends on how it will affect the rest of your team setup

  20. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Really struggling with this, who do I captain?

    A) Sterling

    B) Wilson

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

      Wilson would be a differential between these 2.

  21. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Chambers nailed on to start the next few for Arsenal?

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

      Not really

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

      No

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

      Bellerin is back and will probably take the spot in next few gws

    4. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks

  22. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Worth swapping Son to KDB?

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

      for FT yes

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

      Wait til next week I’d say

    3. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Really considering. Both could have their minutes managed this week...

    4. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same dilemma for me, I would if it was for free. But I’m staying put

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

    A) Dendoncker
    B) Nakamba

  24. CostaCoffee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Have I got my bench order right? Don’t feel confident benching Pukki

    Pope
    Tomori Soyuncu Otamendi Digne
    Hudson-Odoi Sterling (C) KdB Son
    Abraham Aubameyang

    Button Pukki Rico Hayden

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

      I'd play Pukki ahead of any of these defenders

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

        Kind of been between him and Ota but I don’t think I can throw a city player on the bench

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

      If Pukki is on the bench, you mde the wrong transfers.

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

        I didn’t make any

    3. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve just put Ota on the bench for Pukki

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

    English breakfast today followed by the full Irish. Might have to bin some Kiwis later after looking at them for the last 4 weeks.

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

      Next week I have an all you can eat Butlins wooo

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

    Play two from:

    Soy BUR
    Dunk avl
    Cantwell bou
    Lunds ARS

    1. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soy & Cantwell

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

      First 2

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

      Soy, Dunk

  27. Ross Geller
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?

    Pope
    TAA - Tomori - Söy
    Sterling - Mount - Kdb - Mane
    Abraham - Vardy(c) - Pukki
    McGovern - Cantwell - Dunk - Lundstram
    0 FT, 0.1 ITB

    1. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah - good team. Can't see Vardy getting too much joy out of the Burnley defence though. I'd captain Abraham, or Sterling

      1. Ross Geller
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I can see Newcastle playing more player behind the ball and they can also be difficult to break. I failed three out of three times with Sterling, so i’m a bit pissed with him. Have a feeling Vardy’s gonna have a party

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Check Newcastle away record, it's not the same as at home.

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

    Boly + Cantwell

    Or

    Lowton/Dunk + McGinn?

    Thanks

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

      A, if you can get in Jorginho for Cantwell

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

        I can but is he worth a Chelsea spot?

    2. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lowton and McGinn. Don't really understand all the Boly hype - he has a little bit of goal threat, fair enough, but they don't keep many clean sheets and aren't really a defensive side. So not a stronger pick over the likes of Lowton for me

  29. Ruud van Kane
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Morning all,
    I have a proper bencing dilemma it seems.

    Would you play David Silva or Mguinn? Already got Sterling

    Pick two from Zinchenko, Lundstram and Mina

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

      I'd say play McGinn after his hattie for Scotland in midweek. Needs to come with a warning that D. Silva on the bench can punish you. After that it's Lundstram and Mina for the bench.

  30. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mane and Vardy
    Or
    Salah and Wilson

    On a WC

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

      A

    2. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane and Vardy or me

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        *ha! for me

    3. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Amazed people choosing mane over salah

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I don't know why really. He was the joint Golden Boot winner last season and is playing with more confidence than Salah. Has been for a while

      2. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Why?