Opinion

Is now the right time for FPL managers to buy Vardy and sell Aguero and Otamendi?

We’ve assembled another panel of Fantasy Football Scout users to give you their thoughts on the most-debated issues of Gameweek 11.

As usual, we were inundated with FPL Question Time requests and we have cherry-picked some of the recurring topics for our Fantasy Premier League veterans to address in the article below.

There are issues surrounding Jamie Vardy (£9.3m), Nicolas Otamendi (£5.5m), Sergio Aguero (£12.1m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£6.0m) and Callum Wilson (£8.0m) for our panel to consider, as well as questions over double Liverpool defence and Brighton’s attacking assets.

WHO’S ON THE PANEL THIS WEEK?

Epic Fail – A seasoned manager who has been playing Fantasy football for over 20 years and who has been involved in FPL since it started. He boasts a massively impressive history with seven top 10k overall ranks, including a 247th-place finish.

Will / TopMarx – A top FPL writer, producer of our weekly round-ups and a well-documented lover of VAR, TopMarx claims his record of winning at least one mini-league in each of the last three seasons has left him as the best FPL manager in the history of the game. Whilst the jury remains out on that one, a career-best finish of 4k is excellent.

Maximus Bonimus Pointimus – Long-time FFS member, currently seeking an elusive fifth top 10k finish. With a personal best season of 958th, the highs and lows of 12 FPL campaigns have left him completely desensitised to seeing good players get bad scores in good fixtures (and vice-versa!).

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

MikeBravo: Is Jamie Vardy likely to score away against Crystal Palace, given that the Eagles have been fairly tight at home, or is it worth being patient for one more week rather than taking a hit to get him in for, in my case, Callum Wilson? Wilson’s on my bench this week, anyway, as I opt for a triple Brighton attacking threat.

Will: Vardy definitely can score away to Palace given the form Leicester are in but I wouldn’t expect another hat-trick.

I am waiting to get Vardy until Gameweek 12 because the switch from Agüero makes more sense then, with Man City away to Liverpool and Leicester facing Arsenal’s leaky defence.

Like you, I’ve got Aaron Connolly starting this week, and I think if you bench Wilson and get Vardy in Gameweek 12 for free, that’s a good plan. Best of luck with your Brighton attacking triple-up: Trossard, Maupay, and Connolly could all be delivering lovely points at the weekend!


HeineKane: Having missed the Vardy Party last weekend, should I be following the crowd to the next one? Or is there more to gain from taking a risk on other strikers (Lacazette, Rashford, an ‘out-of-position’ Martial)?

Epic Fail: After a relatively decent start to the season, I too missed out on the Vardy Party and saw my rank tumbling down. Now whether you should follow the crowd or not depends on what sort of FPL player you are. Are you a risk-taker or do you like to play it safe? Bringing in Vardy gives you safety in numbers and if he starts another party you will be invited.

Now me personally, I almost entirely ignore what the masses are doing. I make a plan and I stick to it. Before Leicester smashed Southampton, my plan for the next few weeks did not involve bringing in Vardy (or any other Leicester player) and I am sticking with it. I’m not scrapping my plans because of one freak result. If you have any ambitions to push yourself to the upper echelons of rank and reach that state of Nirvana, then following the masses is not going to help you achieve that.

This type of play does come with a warning, though. Seeing as it is the popular template move, then if Vardy scores well you can be left behind fast. Over the last ten years or so I have had one relatively horrible finish – and that one horrible finish just so happened to be the same season that Leicester won the Premier League. That year I stuck with my plans and was punished by Leicester’s value players. Could history be repeating itself? Possibly so, but I need to see more than one freak result to convince me to change my plans.

None of this is to say that Vardy isn’t a great option. He is a great option, especially with Leicester’s run of fixtures coming up. Just don’t base your decisions solely on a result that is highly unlikely to be repeated any time soon.


Ajax Hamsterdam: Shall we give Nicolas Otamendi one more week?

Maximus: It appears the writing may, unfortunately, be on the wall for ‘Ota’ but if we’re being totally honest, and using the superpower of 20:20 hindsight, was that writing there all along given his manager’s historical, almost pathological, avoidance of pairing him with John Stones?

Prior to Aymeric Laporte’s signing, Guardiola only paired the two in 22 of a potential 62 opportunities. And from Laporte’s signing up to the point of his injury, they were only paired on three occasions out of a potential maximum of 56 games – a not-too-subtle indication of where Pep Guardiola’s thoughts lie with regards Otamendi and Stones’ viability as an elite centre-back pairing.

Whilst Otamendi did initially appear to have an awful lot going for him when the news of Laporte’s absence broke (his talent for goalscoring, a seemingly secure start as the club’s only fit centre-back at that time, a £5.4m price tag, hugely favourable fixtures), as the weeks have passed, many of the traditional criteria for a transfer out are seemingly being fulfilled – poor form, poor fitness, uncertainty of starting position, a deteriorating fixture list starting directly after Gameweek 11 and, perhaps most importantly, the 180 Premier League minutes without a goal conceded that his team managed to accumulate in his absence.

All things considered, it really does begin to look a question of when rather than if owners should ship Mr Otamendi.

With that said, similar to the majority of FPL decisions, managers should assess this one with eyes wide open to the fact that an Otamendi sale directly pre-Southampton home has the potential to go horribly wrong and we should be under no illusions that there is a chance (however slight, considering both Fernandinho and Stones’ expected availability and their respective lack of midweek minutes) that Otamendi not only starts the game but also nicks a clean sheet and poaches an attacking return – as happened in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Even if that admittedly unlikely Otamendi haul scenario doesn’t materialise, the danger also exists that one’s covering bench player suddenly decides that Gameweek 11 would be the perfect time to contribute a similarly unexpected points return, a points return that Otamendi’s chosen transfer replacement might fail to match/exceed. With many teams carrying a certain Sheffield United central midfielder who is masquerading as a budget FPL defender, and with a reasonable home fixture against Burnley into the bargain, this particular ‘opportunity cost’ scenario is entirely possible.

If, or when, managers eventually do decide to go down the route of replacing Otamendi though, a free transfer to the premium options of Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) or even Matt Doherty (£6.0m) may actually have quite a large potential upside given those particular fullbacks’ incendiary scoring ability.

If the premium defenders shelf is too much of a stretch, many other suitors are stepping forward in the same price bracket. Joao Cancelo’s (£5.3m) versatility in multiple positions on both flanks will surely be a huge string to his FPL bow as the season progresses, while Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) is buoyed from doing his best Gareth Bale impression and achieving a monstrous 19-point haul courtesy of the admittedly depleted but unquestionably shambolic Southampton side.

A little further down the price list, the alternatives include Daryl Janmaat, who is in positively explosive form and carrying a comically low price tag of £4.3m.

Jamaal Lascelles (£4.4m), fresh from notching his first goal of the season at the weekend, can be rotated with John Lundstram and Diego Rico to give a run of BUR, BOU, WOL, wol, NEW, SOU, AVL, BUR, WAT.

The £4.4m-rated Romain Saiss (BUR, AVL, WOL, SHU, NEW, nor, AVL, BUR, WAT in rotation with Lundstram/Rico) may also be worth considering, with Willy Boly having suffered an unfortunately serious injury that may inadvertently pave the way for Saiss’s starting berth for the foreseeable future. Although Wolves’ Europa league commitments and Boly’s injury may yet place doubts over the FPL prospects of both Saiss and Doherty, their superb fixture list (AVL, bou, SHU, WHU, bha) may be just enough to answer those doubts.

In summary, the answer to the question is likely to be situational. Broadly speaking, if your team has any sort of bench strength (which it probably should!), and/or you are any way constrained on free transfer availability, Otamendi certainly may be worth giving the one-more-week treatment – especially taking into consideration factors such as his immediate fixture, Lundstram’s next fixture (if he’s on your books) and the oft-cited FPL cliché that hits for defenders are rarely worthwhile.

But it may be approaching a maximum of a one-week stay of execution from where we are currently sitting and with the information we currently have to hand on his form/fitness/fixtures.

It’s equally important to acknowledge that for many managers with a shallower bench and/or a free transfer burning a hole in their pocket, even that will be one week too many.


Ibe Wisdom: Now that Joel Matip is ruled out for one to two months, should we reconsider double Liverpool defence in the upcoming green patch?

Will: It’s undoubtedly a blow but I wouldn’t let it dissuade you too much. That second centre-back spot was up for grabs at the start of the season anyway and there’s an opportunity now for someone else to lay claim to it.

Liverpool are a fiercely competitive side and in Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, they possess defenders capable of attacking returns as well as clean sheets. I think they will both prove value for money over the upcoming green patch.


Nolberto Solano: Is a Leicester full-back essential in the coming weeks?

Epic Fail: I’ve always hated the use of the word ‘essential’, though that is probably down to me being pedantic. There are many ways to skin a cat, meaning no single player is ever essential.

However, is a Leicester full-back a good option over the coming weeks? The answer is of course: yes. Brendan Rodgers’ side has arguably the best fixtures of any club over the next seven Gameweeks. In five out of those seven matches, Leicester face a team currently in the bottom seven.

The other two tougher fixtures are Crystal Palace away and Arsenal at home and it wouldn’t be too much of a shock to see Leicester come away with something from those tests; even without a clean sheet in those games, there is a realistic chance of attacking returns from the Foxes’ full-backs.

So while I wouldn’t be going out of my way to bring in a Leicester full-back, if I were looking to bring in a medium-priced defender any time soon I would be considering their assets over any other team.


Fuhrers Bunker: Is this the demise of Callum Wilson? He doesn’t look convincing enough. Who is his best replacement in the mid-to-low price bracket?

Maximus: In many ways, Callum Wilson as an FPL asset has been a classic victim of his own success. In the season just past, and in tandem with his partner-in-crime Ryan Fraser, he contributed a quite frankly phenomenal 26 attacking returns in just 29 starts. Given his extremely generous starting price of just £6.0m in 2018/19, many in the FPL world sat up and took note of his achievements.

FPL Towers duly obliged with the summer relaunch, slapping Wilson with a whopping £2.0m/33% price increase – which looked a fast path to increased scrutiny in the event of the inevitable lean spells that almost every Fantasy forward must navigate.

Wilson is certainly going through one such lean spell at present and that scrutiny has certainly arrived: not only has he personally went through 270 goalless minutes but so have his entire team, with Bournemouth’s standard operational mode of ‘sharp up front/blunt at the back’ experiencing a particularly peculiar polarity shift in the last couple of Gameweeks.

Similar to Otamendi, there are many willing suitors who would gladly step forward for a slot in Wilson’s stead, with another Wolves asset in Raul Jiminez and his superb fixtures perhaps providing the logical replacement, Europa League commitments notwithstanding.

Similarly, any Wilson owners still without Tammy Abraham may also see this as an opportune moment to bridge that particular gap. The more kindly priced but statistically impressive Neil Maupay, meanwhile, offers a cut-price alternative, albeit he looks to be about to start dealing with fixture issues of his own. 

Further up the pricing ladder, Jamie Vardy has been in a rich vein of form and for less than £1.5m extra has been offering tremendous consistency against sides outside of last season’s top six since pretty much the moment Brendan Rodgers took the reigns back in late-February of this year (Vardy has an eye-watering 18 goals and three assists in Rodgers’ 20 games, despite his continual insistence on making a mockery of pretty much every underlying statistic in the book).

Aaron Connolly also currently sits on the very bottom rung of the pricing ladder, yet does quite well when using the Members Area comparison tool to measure against Wilson over the last two Gameweeks. That sort of price differential (a whopping £3.4m) can be a real red flag in relation to Wilson’s ability to deliver equivalent or ideally, better value.

Equally, with the plethora of attractively priced and positioned midfielders that seem to have emerged in the last few Gameweeks, other managers (myself included) may also see this as a good time to transition to an old Fantasy favourite 3-5-2 formation. There are no less than four in-form offerings currently being presented from Leicester’s midfield for less budget than Wilson, while a rejuvenated David Silva is also worth considering. Anthony Martial may also be about to start properly benefiting from the inheritance of the famous number nine shirt at Manchester United, as the sleeping giant attempts to maintain and build on the semblance of form that has crept in over their last two league fixtures.

The move to 3-5-2 also appears to reconcile well with Connolly’s timely emergence and simultaneously deals with what appears to be the ongoing decline of Todd Cantwell as an FPL asset, which looks to have been accelerated by the goalscoring return last weekend of his direct competitor in midfield, Onel Hernandez.

Statistically speaking, Wilson is also coming up against the defence with the lowest XGc in the league next (some managers will place more weight on this than others).

Overall, whilst both Wilson and Bournemouth will undoubtedly score goals again, time is of the essence and competition for FPL slots is currently strong, all of which conspire to make Wilson a potentially difficult hold in the current environment.


Aubaaaa: Sergio Aguero – stick or twist?

Will: Stick. Selling such a proven goalscorer playing for the most attacking team in the league against a side who have just conceded nine (!) goals is not a good idea.

But the question is not how good he is (you know that already); rather, is he likely to start? The answer is – we don’t know. My personal opinion is that he will, given that last night he lined up alongside his rival for the centre-forward role, Jesus.

And ultimately, with the juicy carrot of Southampton at home in Gameweek 11, I’m willing to take the risk. This is an example of what Pro Pundit, Lateriser12, calls “upside chasing”. Hopefully, those of us who hold our nerve with Agüero will finally be rewarded.


Tom12gooner: As a one-week punt for the Norwich game, is Maupay or Connolly a better pick?

Epic Fail: Connolly has performed well recently, but there is no reason to suggest Maupay can’t at the very least match him.

I would personally edge towards Maupay. Connolly is yet to see a full 90 minutes, which of course limits the amount of time he has available to score FPL points. Maupay doesn’t have the same issue.

Maupay also has the advantage of being on penalties. I almost entirely make my choices based on the ‘eye test’ and from what I have seen, Maupay has looked the more likely to score FPL points. He has been unlucky not to pick up more attacking returns than he has lately.

For any Members who like to look at stats, I would recommend taking a look at a comparison between Maupay and Connolly. Spoiler alert: Maupay is ahead in almost all of the key areas.


Serbia: What to do with Callum Hudson-Odoi?

Maximus: The late, great Terrence McKenna once said that, “if you don’t have a plan, you become part of somebody else’s plan”. In the case of Callum Hudson-Odoi, we must presume his owners definitely had a plan when they chose to recruit him for FPL duties.

Personally I think we don’t yet have enough information to say now is the time to scrap that plan and owners should keep faith. At a minimum, the Wednesday EFL Cup line-ups would be required to start trying to piece together the exact impact of the Christian Pulisic hat-trick that reverberated around Turf Moor on Saturday evening.

FFS’s own Mark Sutherns was, and presumably still is, an advocate of a certain approach when it came to these selection decisions, advising on many Scoutcasts of yesteryear that it can generally be better to aim to be a week late rather than a month (or more) early with unproven Premier League talent, and whilst this ship may have sailed for Hudson-Odoi’s ownership base, the shrewdly operated European Goliaths that are Bayern Munich didn’t come knocking with a multi-million-euro offer over the summer for an unproven teenage midfielder for nothing.

Whilst it does appear that a potential attacking midfield jobshare situation is developing between Hudson-Odoi, Willian and Pulisic (with Mason Mount’s security of starts currently looking relatively solid based on his manager’s almost continual insistence on giving him 90 minutes weekly), Hudson-Odoi certainly seems to have more than enough quality to hold his own and make a significant contribution to Chelsea’s impressive attacking output for what remains of their current favourable fixture list.

Coming in the other direction is the increased competition for midfield spots, with most managers wanting at least two-to-three of those slots filled with premium options Salah, Mane, Sterling, De Bruyne and Son. As mentioned earlier, there is also plenty of mid-price competition currently being offered by an even longer list of relatively tempting options, such as Maddison, David Silva, Martial, Tielemans, Perez, Barnes, Mount and McGinn.

If you can afford to via your squad’s bench depth, it may be best to try to carry Hudson-Odoi for another two Gameweeks and re-assess over the international break – it would certainly be harsh of Lampard to drop Pulisic after that performance but Hudson-Odoi did look dangerous in his 15-minute cameo, despite exiting stage left as the pantomime villain following his ill-advised theatrics and the yellow card that duly followed.

Wednesday’s Carabao Cup line-ups (and any unpredictable events thereafter) will give more information in relation to what direction Hudson-Odoi’s FPL points output might travel in the coming Gameweeks.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 10

1,377 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play one:
    A. Wilson v. Man Utd
    B. McGinn v. Liverpool
    C. Soyuncu v. Crystal Palace

    Currently leaning towards Wilson

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

      A

  2. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    C. If you are after a differential McNeil.

    1. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      reply fail, intended for Kopite65.

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

    500k rank drop in one GW and four red arrows in a row. Need to do something drastic with this team. Already having done Auba > Vardy with one FT, what should I do with two more (-4)? I'm tempted by a -12 at this point.

    Pope
    Lundstram - TAA - Söyüncü
    Mané - KDB - CHO - Mount
    Aubameyang - Wilson - Abraham
    (McGovern - Boly - Rico - Saka)

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A -12 is the way to another red arrow going by my hits so far this season.

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

        Have only taken one hit this season, and that has kept me from getting Abraham's hauls - just to mention one example. I'm way behind in mini leagues and feel a big overhaul is needed. Just how big of a haul is the question.

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          It's not a bad team though, I'm guessing you've also had poor captain choices. I'd want Sterling for this weekend but it doesn't look like a team that needs a -12.

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

            I haven't picked the right captain once this season. The only bit of luck so far was that GW Sterling didn't play, and I got KDB's VC points.

            Right now I'm thinking a 3-5-2 with a cheap third forward, bringing in Sterling for CHO/Saka, and looking at that defence as well.

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I thought so, your team isn't bad, you've just been unlucky with captaincy.

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

                So far it's 62 for captains (incl. KDB's 17 points) and 86 for vice captains.

                I've also benched players at the wrong time, and those I've fielded hasn't done much. Even so, there's need for some changes.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      -12 with scores recently asking for another drop.

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

        I need to do something different, the way I see it. Being patient has only seen my rank drop and I'm tempted by an overhaul.

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Took a -8 2 weeks after a WC. If it's needed, do it. Don't be dissuaded.

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

            How did it work out?

            1. Yank Revolution
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Just took the -8 last night...and changed formation from 343 to 352

              In: Vardy/Greenwood/Sterling/Yarmolenko/
              Out: Kun/Wilson/Maddison/Dendoncker

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

                The potential of going back to 3-5-2 is really tempting. Made the mistake of going with 3-4-3 on WC.

                I expect Vardy/Sterling/Yarmolenko to deliver the points for you!

                1. Yank Revolution
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Boy do I hope so...it also removes the stress of Kun's status being up in the air every week of the season (I thought he would be nailed for Prem matches, he isnt).

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

                    Haven't considered Kun at all this season. I expected to have other fires to put out, and though that the risk of him being benched to be one headache too much.

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

      Team is ok. It's hard but try not to chase points. Also -12 is madness. Auba to Vardy if you must and hold

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

        The thing is, being patient has only punished me since GW 2. Now I feel tempted by an aggressive strategy rather than the one I set out with, to see if things change.

        Sterling against SOU is a big worry, for example.

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Numerous owners on here saying they took massive hits the week Vardy got his hat trick and other players they brought in contributed immediately.

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

            You only hear of the few successful big hits afterwards. The considerably higher number of failures don't get mentioned.

            1. Yank Revolution
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              True. Personally, I dont measure the success of hits or Wild Cards until a few weeks after I've executed them.

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

                True dat

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

              That's true of course. I'm getting a bit desperate now, though; four red arrows and a massive drop ain't helping.

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

                28 GWs to go. Too early to panic.

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

                  Probably, but I've never been that good at FPL. Having a better OR by now at least would have given me something to work with. Right now I'm only chasing.

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

            You're of course depending on the players delivering as soon as you bring them in, but you see that it might work out fine.

            It goes against my way of playing this season, but that hasn't taken my team anywhere, so…

            1. Yank Revolution
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I had to correct the error of going w/ Aguero over Sterling on my WC and not bringing Vardy in.

              That's what accelerated my slide into obscurity this year. But, at least I feel I 'corrected' the error.

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

                I felt a relief bringing Vardy in, tbh. Didn't manage to do so before his first price rise though, and that stopped me from being able to do some preferred moves. Story of the season so far.

                I'm not sure I can go another GW without Sterling either…

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

              Never too early to panic

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

                I guess when you're trailing behind this early, it sorta is time to at least do some changes. No certainty they'll work of course.

  4. D.Glynn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any advice for my WC selection..

    Gaz Hend
    TAA Lund Rico Pieters Soy
    Salah Sterling KDB Martial Tiel
    Conolly Ayew Tammy

    Formation depends on fixtures.

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Bring Vardy

      1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        How - look at his formation. He'd have to take a -4 at least to do and remove Tammy.

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

          He’s on wc...

  5. El Copo
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play Connolly or Yarmolenko this weekend?

    And Soy over Rico, right?

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

      Yes. Yes

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

      Yarm

      Yes

  6. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Cantwell/Wilson > Martial/Connolly

    If so would you play Connolly this WE?

    Play 352?

    Pope
    Virgil, Otamendi, Trent,
    C Sterling, Maddison, Mount, KDB, Martial
    Vardy, Tammy,

    Button, Connolly, Lundstram, Rico,

    1.2bank

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

      Martial Ayew

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Possibly

    2. Futbol Heritage
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Love that team. Bench in right order I think

      Looking at getting something very similar

      Mendy+Tomori+Salah+Cantwell (me)vs VVD+Otamendi+Maddison+Martial (you)

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers, still got all chips if it goes tits up.

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

    Going to punt on Richarlison for three GWs, two home games including fixtures v Soton and Norwich. Low ownership and very under the radar on here 🙂

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nooooooooo, stealing my possible punt! I haven't even mentioned it yet because people will point and laugh.

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

        never one to worry about that or going against the crowd on here mate 😉

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I'm considering Sterling to Richarlison next week for two then switch to Salah.

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

      Im holding Digne for that run

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m doing this too, and for Sterling

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nice! Was looking at this too but the Spurs game put me off plus the fact he played midweek. Could be tempted though 🙂

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Don't think playing in midweek matters, Everton don't have a good enough squad to bench him in PL.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          True, he won't be benched, plus he looks a natural athlete but I'm wondering how Everton will react. Didn't they lose Mina or Keane? Mind you, Holgate is an able replacement.

          Think I'll sit this one out and consider for next week. Good luck!

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Oh I'm considering for next week too, I'm sure we'll discuss it then.

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

        decided that I wanted to BB yesterday and just thought a punt on Richarlison over Martial as my Mahrez replacement might be a nice one for three GWs... easy downgrade also if Martial stays fit and firing or to Leicester mid

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I'm close to being able to bench boost too. Would need a -4.

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

            I took the -4, think it's worth the cheeky gamble and not the end of the world if it fails. Like the idea of getting a couple of non playing fodder in on second WC not having to worry about BB 😉

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Oh definitely. If Krul is out (slight knee concern) then I can do Saka > Perez / Barnes / Trossard and all systems are go for BB 🙂

    5. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Iwobi worth it at 5.8?

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

        kind price but not feeling it with Iwobi

  8. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What’s with the Jimenez hype?

    Leaning towards Connolly Martial over Jimenez Dendoncker, personally...

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Look above 4.6 for a playing forward if needed.

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

      Definitely A the better option but I've got Martial and Jimenez. Just fits into a lot of teams and fixtures look great. Had a rest midweek also.

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

      Ayew Martial for me. Agree re Jimi

    4. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Arsenal, Villa, and Bou in the next 3. None of those of are that defensive.

  9. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A Connolly 1 point cameo could screw over a lot of people this weekend it seems.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Only if they play him, many are using to get a better playing mid.

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

        Many are looking to start also

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

          The fixture draws people in

      2. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This.. I believe many are switching to a 3-5-2 with Martial back and all

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          This, several on this page asking the same.

      3. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lots are starting it seems, it could be a weekend decider, huge potential for a haul if he starts.

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

      I got his 8 last week, more than Greenwood got me all season. Its NOR i think he will get a start or good minutes Trossard needs to build fitness yet

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

        Since Trossard came from the bench last week, its safe to assume he will make next step in building fitness by starting vs Norwich

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

          Could be Gross that makes way who knows. Not going to not start him regardless but may burn people getting him in for a hit

  10. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2 FT 0.2 ITB

    A) Pukki -> Connolly (in order to do Aguero + Hayden -> Kane + Martial next time)
    B) Pukki + Son -> Vardy + Martial (still doing Aguero -> Kane next time)

    Current team:

    Gazza
    TAA Tomori Lundstram
    Sterling (C) KDB Son Mount
    Aguero Abraham Pukki
    ___
    Button; Soy Kelly Hayden

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B in a heartbeat.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks TS. Just feel bad about selling Son before their good run of fixtures

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yep, you could probably afford to keep Son if selling Aguero for Vardy but I can understand you not making that move with Southampton up next.

          I'm trying to look at my squad objectively where all non-captain options are in the 6-8m price range. KdB is captain material at home, but I'm not sure we can trust Son and Spurs yet.

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Son looked very dangerous vs Liverpool and hit the woodwork twice, which is why I'm a bit reluctant to sell. He got an assist as well.. I don't think Leicesters fixtures are as straight forward as they seem. Crystal palace away is not a good fixture and then they got Arsenal, Brighton and Everton...

            The upside with Vardy is that he is on pens.

          2. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I'm pretty set on getting Kane in for Aguero to be honest.. I want him as my captain in GW12

  11. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wilson + Dendoncker -> Connolly + Martial for free?

    Then leaves my front 8 as:
    Mane, KDB, Mount, Maddison, Martial*
    Kun (c), Abraham, Connolly*

    Who would i bench out of those lot?!

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Asking the same above, Connolly possibly benched.....?

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

      Do it. I would bench connolly

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

      Good move bench Connolly

  12. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone have a view on Dilva gametime AFTER Southampton?

    In the following 6 games, 4 are versus

    Liverpool
    Chelsea
    Manu
    Arsenal

    Would like to bring him in, but conscious of his time being managed vs Spurs and Everton already, 10 mins or so....are his legs being saved for the “easier” fixtures? (I know its not that simple....lol)

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

      I don't think there's a rush to get him in, no

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't want to have him in my team with uncertainty about his gametime + those fixtures. Surely there are better option i.e Martial

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

      He will get Soton and Chelsea as its straight after IB. May lose him after that but I think he gets the bus parking home games this season to try and open up the doors

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Had a straight choice between DSilva and Martial last week and went with Martial because of those fixtures. Liverpool and Chelsea I expect to be tough, but not Arsenal... I'll get him in for that one!

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

      Thanks. His time so far has been good, maybe 70mins or so per game, but can see that dropping unfortunately

  13. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Benching headache this weekend, play 2?

    A) Soyuncu
    B) Tomori
    C) Connolly

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      AC

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ac

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

    Locked, Loaded & Boosted:

    Pope / Hendo
    Taa / Ova / Rico / Pieters / Janmaat
    Mane / Sterling / Dilva / Richarlison / Mount
    Vardy / Connolly / Jimenez

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

      * Pva

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

        Very good mate well done

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

          that's the response I hope to hear after the weekend lol

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

            More like "Wow top moves from the number 1 overall, what a legend!!!" Haha

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

              🙂

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

      Nice team. Who is Ova?

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

        PVA got it

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

        Typo... Pva

      3. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Jay-Z!

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Best of luck. Do you expect Connolly starts? I’d like to transfer him in, play him and roll my other FT but nervous he doesn’t start

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

        his minutes will be managed a lot and don't see him first choice going forward this season but feel he starts v Norwich

    4. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Good luck mate.

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

        Cheers buddy

  15. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you go for Connolly, roll FT, hope he plays this week and then look to get Martial in for Dendo next week?

    Or use both FT on Wilson Dendo to Greenwood Martial this week?

    Essentially, would only get Connolly if playing this week, otherwise can save 0.3m on a benchee with Greenwood

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      It’s very convoluted. Only you and you alone know what is best for your team. If you think Martial does well against Bournemouth then get him now

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

      Reading Brighton's fan forums, most think he'll be on the bench.

      Doesn't mean it'll be correct, but it's a barometer for expectation.

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

        A few extra comments since I last look. But more if a sentiment that Trossard may start from the bench.

        https://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?376093-Team-for-Norwich/page5

        Nothing certain unfortunately.

      2. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Who will take his place? He has been very good lately goals and assists

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

          Trossard.

          He's just coming back from an injury but apparently needs to build minutes.

          Assume that means a few 60-odd minute substitutions for the next few weeks.

  16. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with Hudson Odoi got him for 5.9 and dont have anyone in team that i would downgrade to upgrade him...keep?

  17. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you play?

    Pukki - Out of form but nailed, at home Vs Brighton
    CHO - In form, not nailed, away vs Watford

    My heart says CHO my head says Pukki...

  18. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Never seen so many stunning goals in one night

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

      Ox origi batman rash saka all total quality

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

        Did you see Willock's goal?

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

    I have both Tammy and Mount. Is it crazy to lose Mount for Martial funded by Otamendi to 4.5 m defender? Probably Janmaat- using 2 free transfers