Scout Notes

Why Lundstram and Sheffield United struggled against Newcastle

Sheffield United 0-2 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m), Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Javier Manquillo (£4.3m), Andy Carroll (£5.4m)
  • Bonus: Manquillo x3, Martin Dubrakva (£5.0m) x2, Shelvey x1

Newcastle United didn’t read the script on Thursday evening as they ended Sheffield United’s seven-match unbeaten league run and inflicted the heaviest home defeat on Chris Wilder’s side since January 2017.

The Blades’ fixture against Steve Bruce’s team was one of the more attractive-looking matches of Gameweek 15, particularly from a defensive perspective.

Newcastle are bottom or second-bottom for shots in the box, big chances and overall efforts on goal this season, while only Leicester City have kept more clean sheets than Wilder’s troops in 2019/20.

Fantasy managers were certainly keen on the encounter, with Dean Henderson (£4.7m) the most-bought goalkeeper of this Gameweek.

John Lundstram (£5.1m) was already a popular option, of course, but his ownership and price hit a season-high ahead of this fixture, with just under 90,000 more Fantasy Premier League managers transferring him in.

Over 16,000 maverick FPL bosses even handed the armband to Lundstram for this plum home game.

Allan Saint-Maximin‘s (£5.4m) 15th-minute header sent millions of clean sheets up in smoke, however, with Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) rubbing salt into the wounds when racing clear to double the lead midway through the second half – more on that controversial goal in a bit.

It wasn’t any better for owners of Lys Mousset (£5.1m), who was the most-bought FPL asset of Gameweek 15.

He and strike partner David McGoldrick (£5.4m) were both rested for this encounter, emerging from the bench late in the game for frustrating one-point cameos.

It’s all too easy to apply retrospective narratives to freak results (if we can call it that) such as these.

Some may argue that Wilder shouldn’t have rested two in-the-groove strikers in one fell swoop, especially as understudy Billy Sharp (£5.6m) hadn’t started a league game all season.

Sharp and Oli McBurnie (£5.7m) were a fairly static strike pairing, with McGoldrick’s link-up play and Mousset’s pace missed.

Others may point to the fact that the Blades boss has barely changed his other nine first-team regulars at all, with fatigue something to watch out for in December as the fixture pile-up catches up with this impressive Sheffield United side.

Perhaps the truth of the matter was that this game was so unlike anything that had gone before this season, with the hosts suddenly finding themselves an early goal down, with the majority of the ball and camped in Newcastle’s half.

Sheffield United averaged 41.1% possession and 137.9 passes in the opposition half per Premier League match before Thursday night.

Against Bruce’s backs-to-the-wall Geordies, those figures shot up to 72.7% and 362 respectively.

All of a sudden the boot was on the other foot and a Blades side so adept at soaking up pressure and hitting teams with dynamic, direct attacks had to find a way of patiently breaking down a five-man defence.

There were chances, it has to be said: Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) was forced into a superb stop to keep out a McBurnie header and made some other camera-friendly saves to repel a deflected Enda Stevens (£5.1m) drive, an Oliver Norwood (£4.9m) free-kick and another McBurnie header after the break.

The sustained possession didn’t really lead to many clear-cut opportunities (the first McBurnie header aside), though, and Shelvey’s goal killed the contest stone-dead with a quarter of the game still to play.

The Newcastle midfielder’s strike was the source of much debate, with an offside flag on Andy Carroll (£5.4m) prompting everyone bar Shelvey and match referee Stuart Attwell to halt proceedings (Henderson doing his best Fabian Barthez impression) and allow the former Swansea man to race clear and finish coolly.

A referral to the VAR saw the offside call overruled, with Wilder furious on the sidelines.

The Sheffield United boss said later:

This game in a heartbeat has changed. This game now is completely different to what I experienced as a 16-year-old lad as an apprentice. I don’t know where it is going and it is sucking the life out of me and the supporters.

I was told at the start of the season that the linesman would not put his flag up and let it go. He put his flag up and the referee was about to blow his whistle. Everyone in the ground stopped. Jonjo Shelvey even nonchalantly went up and took an opportunity. His body language said to me he had seen the linesman had put the flag up and he was going to be offside.

I want to be talking about our first season back in the Premier League. I want to talk about trying to break down a team like Newcastle – to talk about football and not yet again VAR.

Reflecting on the game itself, Wilder said:

I’m okay with the performance. With the ball, I thought we played very well. I should imagine that’s the most we’ve dominated any team in terms of possession this season.

But, as I’ve said all along, possession doesn’t win you games. Goals do. We were desperately disappointed with the goal we conceded and then missed a few chances ourselves.

Newcastle are a curious bunch, boasting one of the least-potent attacks in the division yet sitting comfortably in 11th after impressive wins over the likes of Manchester United, Spurs and Sheffield United, to go with Saturday’s 2-2 draw against the reigning champions.

Earlier this season we wrote that the Magpies look much more comfortable when playing in Rafael Benitez’s 5-4-1, with Steve Bruce’s early-season experiments with a 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 bringing heavy beatings and disjointed displays.

To Bruce’s credit, he has revisited the tactics of his predecessor, which undoubtedly play to Newcastle’s strengths: i.e. their defence.

This was the Magpies’ fourth clean sheet of the season (not an outstanding figure but still more than Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have managed) and, yet again, there was a defender involved in one of their goals: Javier Manquillo (£4.3m) crossing for Saint-Maximin to break the deadlock.

While Miguel Almiron (£5.8m) continues to beaver away to little avail and Joelinton (£5.7m) awaits his first goal since August (he was benched for Carroll at Bramall Lane), the Magpies do at least have some creative quality in the form of Shelvey and Saint-Maximin.

Neither really nailed down a start until a couple of months ago but the pair do add a dash of flair to an otherwise workmanlike side.

Budget FPL asset Shelvey here scored his third goal in five Gameweeks and continues to impress in a midfield two, something he had struggled with previously under Benitez.

The exciting Saint-Maximin finally added an end product to his hugely watchable trickery, meanwhile, opening his Newcastle account from Manquillo’s cross.

The Frenchman has been playing through the pain barrier of late and was pictured with ice on his ankle after the game, telling reporters:

In England, you have to walk out when you have some pain. It’s what I do. I started thinking I wouldn’t go and then I told the coach I wanted to play. Even if I have pain, I got one goal and we won.

Bruce picked out Carroll and Dubrakva for praise, saying:

Andy Carroll can be crucial for us. It’s pretty evident, and I think everyone can see that he needs games but he’s got through 65 minutes.

Martin has pulled off some great saves and kept us in it at a crucial time. It’s not bad to have a goalkeeper in such a rich vein of form.

Dubravka is now the joint-fourth leading points-scorer among goalkeepers this season.

Members Analysis

Gameweek 15 – FPL Match Reports

1,052 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Last Man Standing GW15 🏆 (1979 teams)

    Safety score = 46
    Top score = 89
    LMS average = 58.05 (-0.51) = 57.54

    174 teams to be removed.
    1805 through to GW16.
    Congrats to all the survivors 🙂

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks TM.

      • chriscosta
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        thanks for update : )

        Am still going strong
        how many will be removed next round ?

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

          8% so minimum 145
          GWs 17-20 are 9% out.

      • Jack Burton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

    2. semiconductor
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thats my team with 2 FTs

      Hendo
      Roberstson-Soy-Lundstram-Kelly-Rico
      Salah-Sterling-Pulisic-Maddison-Dendo
      Vardy-Tammy-Jiminez

      What would you do? Want Mane but maybe after the blank week?

      1. xHaTr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Salah to Mane should have been done a month ago, still needs to be done today

        1. Jon Snow
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Now you can even you the extra funds to invest elsewhere haha

      2. Basil1977
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mane could miss out at the weekend, Klopp rested Mane, and Firmino mid week

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No he didn't. He rested Salah and Firmino mid week 😉

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

            i think that what he meant : )
            yeah i want to captain mane tomorrow but worried he many be benched, not sure want to do !!

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Morning all, need some help on what to do with this team after a poor GW. Only just brought in zaha and jimi so will keep for now

      what about connolly > moussett or dunk/willem > evans?

      I think dunk and willem are ticking along well and good differential and cheap options so leaning towards the mousset transfer.

      1ft 1.4itb
      ryan
      TAA lundy willem
      mane maddi KDB son zaha
      jimi vardy

    4. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If you have to chose 1 for rest of desember:

      A) Rashford
      B) Abraham

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Abraham

        • Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I've gone with both

      2. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Morning. 2FTs and 0.7 ITB

        A) Martial + Targett -> Alli + Kelly
        B) Martial + Connolly -> Cantwell + Abraham
        C) Martial + Connolly -> Mount + Ings
        D) Martial -> Pulisic

        Ryan
        TAA, Soyuncu, Lund
        Mane, KDB, Son, Maddison, Martial
        Vardy, Jimenez

        Button, Connolly, Rico, Targett

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

          targett got so good gmaes coming up, i would stick
          as you got son i would go for martial - > pulisic from them picks

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

        Start one of
        A) Egan
        B) dan James

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          James

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

          b

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

        2FT 1.3 ITB Struggling to think of an obvious move here, could I possibly burn it?

        Pope
        Lundstram TAA Soyuncu
        Son Mane Maddison KDB
        Vardy Ings Jimenez

        Button Cantwell Rico Ming

        1. Boz
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Nice team

          Pope to Hendo or Ryan?

        2. TheTinman
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Rico to Kelly

        3. KUNingas
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Jim -> Tammy?

        4. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Pope to Ryan, Guaita or Schmeichel

        5. xHaTr
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks for replies! Tempted to do pope to guaita but not sure about the 5.0 goalkeeper, and also thinking about getting tammy back but not sure I can ditch Jimenez or Ings at the moment!

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

          tammy in

          wolves are on a go run atm, but fixture aint great though

          so i guess for raul

      5. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Bench?

        A) Tielemans (avl)
        B) Cantwell (SHU)

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm guessing that you might have your decision made for you with Tielemans having a rest. I'm selling him.

          1. TheTinman
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Looking to get rid too

          2. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah he's been very disappointing.

            Who do you plan to sell him for?

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I have a 6.7m cash pot burning a hole in my pocket so in theory I could get anyone but it's almost certain to be Alli or Son. I might even take a hit and get both.

              1. Karan14
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Yeah easy decision.
                I got Alli in for Mount already so Grealish is my only other option with the money I have.
                I like Grealish but would want to wait till GW18 to get him and I kind of prefer Cantwell's fixture this week.

                1. Old Man
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Sensible thoughts. I'm also looking at Villa assets, including defence, from GW18. Grealish's stats look very impressive for that price and he's playing well up the pitch.

                  1. Karan14
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Yup I agree he's a great option and im hoping he stays under the radar for the next 2 games.
                    Cheers for your thoughts good luck for the upcoming gameweek!

        2. Pinturicchio10
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Cantwell.

          • Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Cantwell

          • chriscosta
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Bench A

            i sold tielemans for grealish

        3. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Which is better?

          A- Saka > Grealish or Saint Maxim with a FT ( bench Cantwell)
          B- Play Cantwell and save FT

          1. Stockport Hatter
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            A with Grealish

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

            saint Maxim is a interesting player !!

            but i not sure for if it good getting him, he may frustrate you

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

          First sub:

          A) Cantwell (SHU)
          B) Kelly (wat)

          1. Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Kelly

          2. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            A

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

          hey guys, 2 FT and 0.4 ITB.. what to do?

          Heaton Button
          TAA Rico Chilwell Dunk Lunds
          Mane KDB Zaha McGin Son
          vardy Tammy greenwood

        6. balint84
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          captain vardy or son?

          1. Pompel
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Vardy still

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

            son

        7. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Martial/Lacazette >

          A) Son/Ings
          B) Maddison/Rashford

          1. KUNingas
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Already have Alli?

            1. Royal5
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              No. Think he's better than Son?

        8. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Has the poster Minus Four been around? Not seen any posts from him lately. Interested to know his strategy this season with so many big hitters failing. I followed his advice and strategy last season with great success. Struggling to get anywhere this season and sitting at 894k. Would be interested to know his strategy this season

        9. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Abraham sellers, should we consider bringing him back straight into our teams?

          1. Stockport Hatter
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I have

            1. ZeBestee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              For who?

            2. Stockport Hatter
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Jimenez

          2. Pompel
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Not necessarily, many good ootions around like Ings, Mousset, Jimenez etc

          3. Pinturicchio10
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I'd like to have him back in my team this week but I'm not sure if it's worth a -4 for Jimenez. That transfer is certainly possible for gw17 though.

            • Jullepuu
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I'm getting him for BOU

            • Peter Ouch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              No, Rashford is the man with lovely fixtures.

            • FPL.team
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I prefer Jimmys fixture this week so gonna do it next week instead but yeah, I'm getting him back.

          4. FootballFanatic365
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            mous + CAhill > Kelly + Abraham ?

            1. ZeBestee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I am keeping Mousset for the Norwich game, last chance for him. If he fails then he is out of my team.

              1. Royal5
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Returned points in 5 of the last 7, don't own him but sounds a bit harsh.

                1. ZeBestee
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Don't like players who are rotated.

                  1. FPL.team
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    It was one rest. Can't see it happening again any time soon. Every player will have at least one game they are rested this season, so may as well sell them all?

            2. Pompel
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Cahill should play, no?

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

            Morning,
            Need to finally get rid of Lowton this GW, frustrating to watch everyone getting jammy Rico and Kelly points. So who's the best 4.5 pick short term:

            A) Kelly
            B) Rico
            C) Clark
            D) Saiss
            E)Fernandez
            F) Other??

            Cheers

            1. ZeBestee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              A

            2. KUNingas
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I took Targett last week. Planned to get Kelly but changed minute before deadline

              1. Pompel
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Targett good option too, txs. Ideally looking for good cs odds also this GW, though

            3. balint84
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              d, if he nailed

              1. Pompel
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Good option long term, I think

            4. Basil1977
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Anyone else thinking Mane could be rested at the weekend? As Salah and Firmino were rested mid week.

              Thinking Mane to Salah (C)

              1. Pompel
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Definitely a chance, I'm a bit nervous as Mane owner

              2. Basil1977
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Sorry was mean't to post not reply to your post.
                Guilbert for me 4.4

          6. GW16 DS stats, Fixture and clean sheet odds
            G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            GW16 DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds

            Liverpool (543DS) beat Everton 5-2, Arsenal (431DS) lost 2-1 to Brighton at the Emirates and Chelsea (414DS) beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Finally Manchester City (412DS) beat Burnley 4-1 away at Turf Moor. Just under the radar came Leicester (305DS) and they beat Watford 2-0.

            https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/21219576

            MCY: 397
            LIV: 366
            TOT: 332
            LEI: 221
            WLV: 164
            NEW:155
            CRY: 140
            CHE: 139
            SHU: 93
            ARS: 41
            WHU: -41
            NOR: -93
            EVE: -139
            WAT: -140
            SOT: -155
            BOU: -164
            AVL: -221
            BUR: -332
            BHA: -366
            MUN: -397

            (Doosra gives a more detailed explanation of these numbers here http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/16458109)

            Only two fixtures make the grade this week as Manchester City (397DS) show up first as they welcome Manchester United to the Ethiad followed by Liverpool (366DS) who travel to Bournemouth. Just under the radar appear Tottenham (332DS) as they face Burnley at home.

            GW16 fixture odds can be found here:
            http://prntscr.com/q6z0tv
            (Provided by Betbrain)

            GW15 clean sheets
            MCY: 55% ❌
            LEI: 52% ✅
            SHU: 50% ❌
            CHE: 48% ❌
            LIV: 48% ❌
            WOL: 42% ✅
            ARS: 37% ❌
            SOT: 35% ❌
            CPL: 34% ✅
            MUN: 28% ❌
            TOT: 28% ❌
            NEW: 25% ✅
            BOU: 24% ❌
            WHU: 20% ❌
            NOR: 17% ❌
            BRI: 14% ❌
            WAT: 13% ❌
            EVE: 12% ❌
            BUR: 9% ❌
            AST: 8% ❌

            GW16 clean sheet odds
            MCY: 45%
            TOT: 43%
            LIV: 39%
            WAT: 33%
            BRI: 32%
            WOL: 32%
            LEI: 31%
            CHE: 30%
            NEW: 30%
            SOT: 30%
            SHU: 28%
            CPL: 27%
            ARS: 25%
            NOR: 24%
            EVE: 20%
            AST: 17%
            WHU: 16%
            BOU: 12%
            BUR: 12%
            MUN: 10%
            (Provided by Betbrain)

            @StatOnScout provided a great tweet in answer to the question of how this season's clean sheets compare to last season's...

            https://twitter.com/gwhizz420/status/1200657912709951488?s=20

            Have a great GW people, and may your arrows be green 🙂

            G

            1. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I think Brighton/Bournemouth are in the wrong Positions?

            2. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Liverpool vs Bournemouth

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

            Out:
            1) Pulisic
            2) Maddison
            3) KDB

            In:
            A) Tammy
            B) Rashford

            Cheers!

            1. Royal5
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I'd keep that midfield. Given his ownership I think you need Tammy.

            2. Peter Ouch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              2B

            3. Pinturicchio10
                4 years, 3 months ago

                3A

              • Atimis
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Getting rid of Auba and want to bring Dele with 2FTs

            4. Bruno Commando
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Best captain for this weekend?

              1) Mane
              2) Kane
              3) Alli
              4) Vardy
              5) Tammy

              1. tibollom
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                1

              2. Pinturicchio10
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Cap 4. Sell 2.

                • chriscosta
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  am on 1 atm

                  but worried that he may be benched (Due to last game salah and firmino were benched), will wait to last sec before deciding

              3. tibollom
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Still have all my jokers, would you WC this team ? I have 2 FT and 0.4 ITB

                Heaton Button
                TAA Rico Chillwell Lunds Dunk
                KDB Mane McGin Son Zaha
                Vardy Tammy Greenwood

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

                  running out of time.

                  GL

                  1. tibollom
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    thanks.. you think this teams need to be WC or do I wait until the busy xmas time?

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

                      No idea. All I know is the impact of the first WC is getting less and less as every week fly by. Very soon most will use their 2nd WC I suppose.

                      Xmas is tricky, even with a WC.

                2. Pinturicchio10
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    It's not essential that you play your wildcard this week, but if it were me I'd do it. Restructure. Reset the core for the next 6 weeks.

                3. Basil1977
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Anyone else thinking Mane could be rested at the weekend? As Salah and Firmino were rested mid week.

                  Thinking Mane to Salah (C)

                  1. Royal5
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Defo could, worried about captaining him.

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

                    stop 2nd guessing the team sheets. Face it, Salah is not worth it this year.

                    1. n14mul
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      Game is all about guessing the team sheet. But yes there is a risk of benching or at least reduced minutes

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

                        ok, so you might get lucky this week with Salah. And then? You sitting with no Mane next week.

                        GL

                    2. Basil1977
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      Salah hasn't been as good since the Leicester injury, i'll admit that been he is a great differential captain pick fully rested

                  3. Pinturicchio10
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      I have both so I can easily go with Salah this week and not worry about losing Mane. Not sure if I would sell Mane for Salah though. Probably not worth it. Just captain someone else.

                  4. Silva Sacking Implications
                    zøphar
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Marco Silva's departure ahead of gameweek 16 has seen Duncan Ferguson appointed as caretaker manager for their game against Chelsea.

                    Many of us are scrambling to bring in Abraham ahead of this fixture , but with this latest news , do we expect an improved performance from the Toffees ? As we have seen at Arsenal that is not always the case. I was going to take a hit to bring Tammy in but I am not so sure now.

                    How has this news impacted your plans for gameweek 16?

                    1. Royal5
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      DCL (c)

                    2. n14mul
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      My thoughts exactly. Usually.get a reaction after a manager departure......that is as.long as you are not Arsenal!!!

                      1. Royal5
                        • 12 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        Maybe from the attackers, but they won't learn how to defend in 2 days. Especially not by Duncan Ferguson.

                        1. n14mul
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 6 Years
                          4 years, 3 months ago

                          On this case do I take a hit to get Tammy back in?

                          1. Royal5
                            • 12 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Probably not for a hit. Depending on who else is involved.

                            1. n14mul
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 6 Years
                              4 years, 3 months ago

                              Well as chilwell is flagged would be chilwell and ings to soy and tammy

                        2. zøphar
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          4 years, 3 months ago

                          Yeah I don't expect much to change tactically but would at least expect more commitment from the players.
                          Also if they concede early, they might really open up since they're at home and we could see a high scoring match

                          1. Royal5
                            • 12 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Could defo be high scoring.

                    3. Old Man
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      I'm waiting until after the ECL match to get Tammy

                      1. POLSKA GOLA
                        • 10 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        This

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

                      Who would you take out for the hit?

                      Even before Everton away isn’t a walk in the park regardless of form.

                      1. zøphar
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        I would be selling Connolly , but would be benching grealish then. Might need him anyways though with so much rotation expected

                      2. n14mul
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 6 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        As above my change would be chilwell and ings to soy and Tammy

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

                      Plain and simple Everton fixtures are atrocious

                    6. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      They were shambles at the back. Can anyone shed some light on Duncen? For those of us who doesnt familiar with him.

                    7. Bird Raymond
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      Don't break into Big Dunc's house!

                      "In 2001 two burglars broke into Ferguson's home in Rufford, between Liverpool and Preston, at night. Ferguson confronted them and was able to detain one of them who subsequently spent three days in hospital...Two years later Ferguson caught another burglar in his home in Formby; the burglar attacked Ferguson, who retaliated; the burglar, who was hospitalised."

                      1. Now I'm Panicking
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        lol - though if you do live in a big house near Liverpool you probably do have to be like John Wick to avoid getting all your stuff nicked by the locals.

                      2. jpb333
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        He's also been to prison for headbutting an opponent when he was playing for Rangers. Google him and Stefan Freund for a bit of strangling. You don't mess with Big Dunc!

                    8. TiAgoFPL
                      • 4 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      I did it

                  5. Where dahoud at
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Two free transfers but 0itb any ideas? I dont want to take pope out lol

                    Pope
                    Taa, lundstram, Pereira
                    Kdb, maddison, mane, Pulisic,
                    Ings, vardy, abraham

                    Bench, mcgovern, O'Connell
                    Cathcart, cantwell

                    1. Pacer.
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      You look pretty good so maybe just one and roll the other

                      How about targett or guilbert as decent cover for 18/19

                    2. Pacer.
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      Either that or get the spurs in

                  6. n14mul
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Morning,

                    Any news on chilwell?

                  7. The Legend Squad
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Probably wouldn’t. Use the 2FT and save the WC till after the Christmas period.

                  8. Burger_and_Chips
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Morning all,

                    Team good to go for next GW. 1FT and 0.1ITB.

                    Do I save FT or get rid of Ederson perhaps for Palace or Sheet Utd GK? Tempted to save Salah after being rested. Best captain pick?

                    Ederson

                    Robertson Soyuncu Lundstram

                    Salah KDB Ali Pulisic

                    Tammy Vardy (C) Jimenez

                    Bench - Button, Williems, Dunk, Dendondunker

                  9. Super Squirrel
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    draft league related question:

                    Should i continue to hold out for Eriksen to be started OR drop him for punts? (such as yarmolenko, fleck, gross, rodri - admittedly not much better).

                  10. Big boy Bowen
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Morning gorgeous!
                    Got 2FTs, one I think I will do Janmaat to Kelly. But what about the other one?

                    A) Button to Martin
                    B) Pope to Ryan
                    C) Tomori to Aurier
                    D) Save other FT

                    Thanks

                    1. Pinturicchio10
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        Sell Kane

                        1. Big boy Bowen
                          • 7 Years
                          4 years, 3 months ago

                          Not with Burnley at home next!

                          1. Pinturicchio10
                              4 years, 3 months ago

                              I'd sell him if it was Norwich at home.

                      • Noé Pamarot
                        • 5 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        Morning all.

                        Worst season I've ever had by a country mile. Seeing if there is anything I can do to at least finish respectably now.

                        Pope Button
                        TAA Lundstram Rico Diop Janmaat
                        Mane Pulisic KDB Maddison Saka
                        Ings Vardy Jimenez

                        0FT 2.3 ITB

                        Appreciate any further move I make will be a -4 but thinking I need to get rid of some of the utter dross/non-starters. Think I also need to break away from template type players. Would you:

                        1. Diop/Janmaat > Evans/Soy. Or any other more rogue choices in that price range eg Willems.
                        2. Saka > Grealish and have a benching headache.
                        3. Risk it and do something like KDB > Alli/Son.
                        4. Pope > Guaita
                        5. Do not take a further hit.

                        Cheers in advance. Always so impressed by the help from this community.

                        1. Noé Pamarot
                          • 5 Years
                          4 years, 3 months ago

                          Sorry for the long boring message also!

                        2. n14mul
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 6 Years
                          4 years, 3 months ago

                          Nothing wrong with your team. Maybe ne3d to do A. Need a stronger defender so soy is a good shout

                          1. Noé Pamarot
                            • 5 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Cheers! You think Soy is definitely the better option over Evans? Only ask as they are exactly the same price and Evans is more of a differential.

                        3. Fpl Richie
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 8 Years
                          4 years, 3 months ago

                          4 is a good safe differential. Grealish is a great option but could you lose someone else?

                          1. Noé Pamarot
                            • 5 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Thanks for the reply. When you say lose someone else, do you mean one of the more expensive guys? Possibly Maddison?