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. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any reason not to captain Son this weekend?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope. Great pick. Don’t let the Alli bandwagon change your mind either 🙂

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

      Mou’s formation. I’m 50/50 Alli/Vardy at mo.

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

      Workhorse Mou winger. More likely to assist than haul. Some better options this weekend who're also nailed

      Not saying you shouldn't. Just answering the question

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

        Yeah. Out wide not as lethal. Means he’ll prolly hit a brace now.

        1. golfboy
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Out wide but loves to cut in and shoot and beats defenders for fun

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            ...like Sterling

    4. golfboy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm tempted. Vardy with the majority or Son as a Diff??

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Villa are resilient at home, Vardy will most likely score 5-6 points imo. Son would be a bit more exciting, but it could also go horribly wrong haha.

  2. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed out :-

    Suggestions please guys, I have 2 FT and £1.5 ITB

    Ryan (Button)
    Soyuncu Tomori Lundstram (Kelly Rico)
    Sterling Mane KDB Pulisic (Dendoncker)
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Time to get rid of Sterling imo.

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

        Yes thinking the same, Dele Alli best current replacement?

        1. Miniboss
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          atm yeah

  3. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Whats the hype on people getting Grealish in?

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

      Not sure, but his hair and shin pads seem to common topics of conversation.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Haha 🙂

    2. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      good price, good form, good fixtures coming up, talisman...theres no reason not to get him in

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Other than he plays the best defence in the league this weekend

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

          well yeah not this week

        2. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          *2nd best defense Btw. Leicester have conceded 5 goals less, thats huge.

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Isnt he playing vs Leicester? So, beste defence in the league, right? 😉

            1. El Presidente
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              *best

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

      Good week 18 when Liverpool blank and beyond fixtures and good form

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looked like Messi against a horror Newcastle performance and then blanked at the Emirates! Supposedly the stats but I’m not a member anymore. And he’s cheap of course

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

      CAM/winger for a team scoring plenty of goals + cheap & great fixtures during the festival time to be a great bench cover if needed.

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

    So Pope to hendo before this GW was a big waste. SHU defense obviously regressing, Spurs defense to tighten up, it's inevitable. Gazza move ahead of the curve.

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

      I’ve had Gazza last 3 weeks. Shocking choice, last chance tomorrow then trying to get rid as fast as possible

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

        id keep. only a matter of time, its Jose

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

    Rank the 3 in order of who you think scores the most points to the one who will score the least points:
    A. Jimenez (Brighton away)
    B. Mousset (Norwich away)
    C. Mount (Villa away)

    1. villian-ty
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mount not playing villa

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

        Oops. Sorry Everton. Thanks for pointing it out. Appreciate it.

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

      Bac

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

      Draw, all 2 points

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

    What do with 1ft (0.9itb)? Who to C and VC ? Thinking Mane c and Salah vc if Mane rested.

    Pope (Button)
    Taa Aurier Lund (Rico, Janmaat*)
    Mane Salah Kdb Puli (Dendo)
    Vardy Ings Mousset

  7. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who do we think will be next weeks bandwagon? People were going crazy for Pulisic and Zaha mid week now they are bad picks. People going crazy for Alli and Rashford this week! Who’s next? Saint Maxim? 🙂

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

      Whoever scores this weekend

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Really? Almiron? 🙂

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

          Steady on 😉

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

      Puli is a great pick imo. Only bad thing "for Puli" was that Tammy's injury got Mount back into 10 position and now I do not have him anymore.

    3. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Carroll

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1 start, 1 assist! Jonjo could be if he bags again against Saints tbh

    4. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Richarlison.

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

      Why is Pulisic a bad pick? Zaha I can understand

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

        Pulisic is a great pick

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

        I have him but I'm guessing that he might be rested this weekend. Mount also a rest candidate.

  8. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Not able to choose from this bunch:
    A) Madison + Pulisic
    Or
    B) Alli + Grealish
    Or
    C) Madison + Zaha
    ?
    ----
    Team:
    Pope, button
    Soy, Roberson, lund, tomoroi, rico
    Salah, kdb, cantwell, ? ,?
    Jimenez, vardy, Abraham
    ---
    Analysis:
    - Pulisic (while he has been way better than zaha and grealish), he has the worst fixtures in the next 5. The rest of the players have favorable fixtures.
    - Zaha is inconsistent and Palace is one of the lowest scoring teams, but the lad's in form and might be motivated to put on a good show for the speculated Chelsea talks
    - Alli is back and rocking since Mourinho arrived
    - Madison is great and have villa next, I should have gotten him way earlier.
    - Grealish is skilled, but with the least FPL returns from the bunch so far

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

      probs look for a way to get both alli and maddison, or instead get a 2nd leicester def with B

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

      B. This is so that you get attacking coverage from Chelsea, Spurs and Leicester.

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

      Easy A

    4. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B. Zaha has always been an FPL trap like Barkley

    5. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pulisic
      Everton A - good potential fixture
      Bournemouth H as above
      Spurs A - as above , Spurs poor defensively
      Southampton H - good fixture
      Arsenal A - terrible defence.

      How can these be the worst fixtures ?

      1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I wasn't sure about having 2 attackers from Chelsea at this point because:
        Everton not a good fixture, they will do good at home after liverpool's game and spurs defense will prolly get better under Mou by the time we reach this fixture.

    6. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A for me.

  9. BellyKlopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What's the deal with the 2 WCs? Have to use one before GW 18 or is it before the new year?

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If only there was a place to find this information...

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

      Use one before the last gameweek before new year. The second one you can use anything after that

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

    Bench 1

    A Söyüncü
    B Lundstram
    C Aurier

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

      Soy

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B as I think Norwich will score (Henderson and Lundstram owner)

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

      Tough one but I think A.

  11. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have to play Lord Lundstram ahead of MKelly, right?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have that atm.

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hello folks. Bench order ok?

    Henderson
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    Mane Sterling Tielemans Zaha
    Vardy(C) Jimi Tammy

    Pope Cantwell Kelly Tomori

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All good

    2. JohnBlack
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gtg

  13. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How would you rank the following three players (taking price into consideration):

    A) Rashford
    B) Abraham
    C) Jimenez

    And why?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If fit for this week bca

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

        This

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

      Abe (He’s a perfect fit to lead)
      Jimi (Class)
      Rashford (Streaky player in streaky team + more expensive)

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      In terms of upcoming fixtures? If so, that order for me.

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

      BCA

    5. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks for the responses

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

      Bca

      Tammy is a beast. Jimmy more reliable and cheaper than Rashford who is in great form though. I put Rashford to Martial bracket which means he and MUN can be very poor suddenly after a good period.

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        More reliable? He's almost 20 points behind Rash. The latter has 6 scores of 9+ in 15 GWs, one more than Tammy

  14. caldracula
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kane + Mount to Abraham + Alli -4?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If Abraham is fit then yes, not convinced he is until frank says so

  15. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench two....

    A) Lundstram (nor)
    B) Söyüncü (avl)
    C) Willems (SOU)

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B definitely.
      Coss a toin between A and C, Willems is an exciting option.

    2. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      BC

  16. fgdu
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    play 3 from aurier soy lundstram robbo

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

      Bench soy. Least potential attackingwise

  17. fplking14
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    McGinn > Grealish?

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

      Great move,doing the same next week

  18. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Team gtg? Bench right?

    Guaita
    Taa soy Lund
    Mane kdb son pulisic
    Vardy(c) Abraham jimi

    Button kelly rico dendo

    1. golfboy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      GTG

  19. golfboy
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi chaps,

    Any advice much appreciated....

    Pope
    TAA Lund Soy Tomori
    Son KDB Salah Pulisic
    Jesus Vardy

    (Button Kelly Connolly Dendo)
    0.3 1FT

    A) Save
    B) Salah to Mane
    C) Jesus to Tammy
    D) Pope to Gazza

  20. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would you save ft this week with the team below or anything I should do?

    Gazzinaga McGovern
    Tomori lundstrum soyuncu Rico taa
    Zaha, cantwell, kdb, Salah, son
    Jimenez, vardy greenwood

    2 million itb

  21. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just cant decide the best move(s) here with 1Ft and 1.6m

    Heaton -- Pope
    Taa Lundy Tomori -- Rico Lascelles
    Mane Kdb Pulisic Mount -- Cantwell
    Rashford Vardy Ings

    A: Lascelles >> Kelly incase Tomori doesnt play and rico has a tough fixture. Kelly also has a good fix in gw18
    B: Lascelles >> Aurier and bench Tomori. But Aurier may get dropped plus doesnt have a good gw18 fixture
    C: Tomori + Mount >> Kelly + Alli (-4)...but Mount (+4 points) vs. Alli is tight
    D: Something else

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

      Lascelles to Aurier

  22. Jono_90
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Got Jimenez in at 7.1, his upcoming fixtures aren't great and he's currently on -77 according to FPL stats.

    Would you cash in now or ride the fixtures out?

    Who would be the best replacements?

    Thanks.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Next 3 fixtures are fine in terms of wolves attack

        1. Jono_90
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, i'll probably just hold for now and not rush. Spurs haven't kept a clean sheet under Mourinho yet.

          Thanks for the reply.

      • Psakhotherapy
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Decent fixture this week, I plan to hold with a view to switching him to rashford next gw

      • El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I also have him, and I see no reason to sell whatsoever. This game is full of knee jerkers and point chasers, always trying the "next big thing" every single GW. Do you think he is a good choice yes or no? If it yes, just keep your cool.

        1. Jono_90
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          He's served me well so far, I'm going to stick with him.

          Thanks.

      • Ynwalfc
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Form over fixtures

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

      Morning all,
      Have 2 ft this week & no major concerns...worth doing a sideways bandwagon-jump
      Son —> Alli?

      1. golfboy
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'd hold Son

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Its a no for me

      3. yer old da
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not for me either - unless the £s can go to serious use I’d much rather Son in my team.

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

          Thanks all.
          Maybe a 5th mid of sub gk switcheroo then...

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

        I would stick with Son also...Ali is going great under Mourinho but Son is a bit more secure pick in my opinion...

      5. Jono_90
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'd hold Son also.

        Thanks for the reply above.

    3. Assist me a river
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Def clean-up! Have 2FT, Janmaat has to go. What to do?

      Pope/button
      Robertson - Lundstram - Tomori - Rico - Janmaat

      0.1 itb.

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

      Bothered by two things:

      1. Chelsea needs to win the UCL game, so Lampard might have to rest someone... Or some people... Ahead of it. Pulisic with many starts in a row. Tammy currently managing knocks
      2. Mane hasn't been rested yet, and Klopp has promised rotation (with evidence). Again, UCL game ahead. Robbo falls in here too with the ankle knock he's been playing through

      Tricky stuff that are near impossible to call

      1. golfboy
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed. I took Tammy out when he was injured and want to bring him back but have a feeling he might get rested. I also still have Salah instead of Mane which needs sorting,but maybe not this week

      2. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Good chance Pulisic is rested, can't say the same for Tammy.

        Mane is unlikely to be rested imo. He is in supreme form and physical condition, reminiscent of how Messi and Ronaldo in their prime were almost never rested.

      3. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        All your points are good, but you said it yourself, stuff near impossible to call. My take would be, just make sure you have a decent bench and hope for the best.

    5. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No hits needed?

      Pope
      TAA Lundstram Kelly
      Salah (c) KDB Alli Pulisic Maddison
      Vardy Abraham

      Button Mousset Tomori Guilbert

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Correct. Good luck with the captaincy. A nearly certain starter in a game (and Klopp system) that promises goals

      2. golfboy
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Bold Salah (C) I like it

        1. Oldie99
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          It’s a crazy world when we’re calling the salah captain pick “bold”, I’m doing the same and hoping this is the one game a year when he goes mad 29p style

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

        Captain Vardy over Salah

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No thanks. Vardy was very ordinary against Watford and Villa are decent at home. Need the differential points at this stage

      4. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nope GTG

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

        what a season you are having...

        ouch

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yep.. absolutely abysmal. 13/15 captaincy blanks!!

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            And not a single GW rank within 1.2 million.. just have to laugh really or go on either a depressive or aggressive rage.

            1. El Presidente
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              No rage needed mate, it can happen to all of us, donr worry. Its a great game, but just a game nontheless

      6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Like the Salah captaincy shout, strongly considering same here

    6. yer old da
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      G2G?

      Gazzaniga
      TAA, Soyuncu, Lundstram
      Mane(c), KDB, Son, Pulisic
      Vardy(vc), Abraham, Jimenez

      Subs: Martin, Dendoncker, Kelly, Rico

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

        Pulisic to Alli if you can.Otherwide good team

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Wouldn’t be captaining Mane. Most likely rested against Bournemouth

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

          highly unlikely

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Was it also highly unlikely that both Firmino and Salah were rested in the Merseyside derby? Klopp has openly stated his rotation policy

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

              Mane, in particular, is in supreme form and physical condition, reminiscent of how Messi and Ronaldo in their prime were almost never rested.

              1. IRBOX ⚽
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                We shall see but I would say there is a greater than 50% likelihood he is a non-starter against the Cherries

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

                  I would say less than 10% for the same

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    With that champions league game next week, league 3/4 days later and an 11 point lead in the league, combined with a fully 'rested' Salah and a fairly busy of late Mane, and an eminently winnable game - I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Mane Benched, or truncated minutes

                    Residual with club World whatever it is the following week too!

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

      Picking Mount over Lundstram,Lundstram has blanked for four game weeks and Mount is playing Everton who just sacked there manager.Would anyone pick Lundstram?Team is

      Pope
      Aurier,Periera,Söyüncü p
      Alli,Mane,DeBruyne,Mount
      Vardy(C),Rashford,Jimenez

      Subs Button,Lundstram,MCGinn,Kelly

    8. Hodg55
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Best 5th defender?

      A: Dendo
      B: Cantwell

      1. Hodg55
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *midfielder

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

        B. Higher points potential if he plays.

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

      Hey guys,

      Who would you play for this week?

      Jimenez or Abraham?

      Have Jimenez at the moment, don't know if i should switch to Abraham?

      Thanks

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

        I’d go with Abraham,Everton just sacked there manager and could get hammered

      2. JohnBlack
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Abraham rested