Scout Notes

How Arsenal’s FPL assets fared under new manager Mikel Arteta on Sunday

Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

  • Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m)| Jorginho (£4.9m), Tammy Abraham (£7.8m)
  • Assists: Calum Chambers (£4.4m) | Mason Mount (£6.4m), Willian (£7.1m)
  • Bonus: Aubameyang x3, Willian x2, Abraham x1

Arsenal are showing signs of improvement under new head coach Mikel Arteta but they remain a work in progress and Fantasy managers will perhaps require further proof of an upturn in performance levels before they revisit the Gunners in earnest.

Arteta’s troops were the better team for large chunks of Sunday’s London derby and set about their visitors with venom, hassling and pressing Chelsea in the early stages in particular.

There were plenty of positives to take from this defeat.

The Gunners looked much better defensively than they had done under Unai Emery and more recently Freddie Ljungberg, with Chelsea not really carving out too many clear-cut opportunities until Bernd Leno‘s (£5.0m) error of judgement allowed Jorginho (£4.9m) to tap in Mason Mount‘s (£6.4m) floated free-kick delivery in the 82nd minute.

The sight of Pierre-Emerick Aubemayeng (£10.8m) haring back into his own half to help makeshift left-back Bukayo Saka (£4.5m) on more than one occasion was typical of the effort that the Gunners put in as a whole.

Even David Luiz (£5.7m) looked fairly competent at the back although the loss to injury of Calum Chambers (£4.4m), arguably Arsenal’s best centre-half on current form, could be a big blow.

Chambers limped off with what looked like a knee problem in the first half and Arteta said after full-time:

The doctors are assessing him. The first feeling he got, it wasn’t very positive.

Further forward, Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) still looks short of his best but Mesut Ozil‘s (£7.2m) renaissance continues, with the German midfielder impressing again in the number ten role – although he still has only two attacking returns to his name this season and he ‘assisted the assister’ for the hosts’ goal.

Reiss Nelson (£5.3m) was also bright on the right flank while Aubameyang’s role on the opposite wing didn’t mean that he was hugging the touchline, as we will discuss in the Members Analysis section below.

It was the Gabon international who put Arsenal in front, nodding in a flick-on from Chambers from a set-piece situation.

Reflecting on the game, Arteta said:

I’m really disappointed with the result and the way we conceded the goals, and the timing of them as well.

I’m pleased with a lot of things that I’ve seen. I’m pleased with a lot of things we worked on in training that actually happened in the game, and how they bought into this.

But I’m disappointed to lose the game obviously. We had to sustain that level for longer periods against a very, very physical team like Chelsea.

Physically it was tough to maintain the level Chelsea play at at the moment. We are asking them to do something different, to play at a different pace, much more aggressive and at the moment [of the second goal] they suffered.

Chelsea excelled in a 3-4-3 against Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 18 but Lampard has now abandoned the wing-back system early in each of the last two games, with the Blues shifting to a 4-3-3 and sacrificing Emerson (£5.5m) after just 35 minutes on Sunday.

Lampard’s side unsurprisingly gained more control of the midfield with N’Golo Kante (£5.0m), Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) and Jorginho reunited in the middle of the park but it’s the constant shapeshifting and the lack of a fixed formation that remains offputting to Fantasy managers, as we’re never entirely sure how the Chelsea boss will send out his troops.

The victory over Spurs was perhaps the high point of the last month and this was the latest in a string of underwhelming displays, even if there was a definite improvement in the second half at the Emirates.

As mentioned earlier, it was a Leno error, rather than a moment of magic from the Blues, that led to the equaliser.

The match-winner came from an incisive Chelsea breakaway, with Willian (£7.1m) teeing up Tammy Abraham (£7.8m) for the striker’s first goal since Gameweek 15.

Abraham had been starved of service for the first hour but came into the game in the final third, heading a decent chance straight at Leno in the 74th minute and blazing over with normal time almost up.

Willian and Mount were similarly peripheral until the final 30 minutes, although both banked their eighth attacking returns of 2019/20 with assists for Chelsea’s goals.

In defence, the need for improvement at left-back was again apparent after Emerson’s latest horror show.

Only five teams have kept fewer clean sheets than Chelsea this season and the improvement at the back has been only modest since August, with even Antonio Rudiger’s (£6.0m) return not really having the desired solidifying effect.

Reflecting on the match, Lampard said:

When we played as we did at Tottenham last week, I probably would have questioned my sanity if I had come to Arsenal and we played four at the back and it had gone that way in the first half-hour.

For me the main thing in the first half-hour was not the tactics, it was the spirit and the fight. Arsenal were quicker, we were lethargic, they were brave, we were nervous.

We changed and it got better. Mikel Arteta is not silly. He saw us play at Tottenham and found a way to pin our five back. We had three men marking one at the back and they had numbers in midfield and they won all the second balls, and that had to change.

The response in the second half was everything I wanted. We have been rightly questioned recently. Everton away would be a good one, a team that had life breathed into them by a new manager and we didn’t react and it was quiet after that game in the dressing room and I did not like that, and some of our home games recently were lacking something.

This is not a turning point, it is only a turning point if we show it going forward, but we showed we can have a right go and win a game in a different way. At Tottenham we won it by playing really good football from beginning to end and today we won it by showing fighting spirit. If we can put them together then we will have a chance.

Christian Pulisic (£7.1m) was nowhere to be seen on Sunday, with his absence explained as precautionary due to a hamstring strain.

Reece James (£5.0m) and Marcos Alonso (£6.0m) also missed out through injury, with teenager Tariq Lamptey (£4.0m) playing at right-back for the final half an hour.

Members Analysis

2,738 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Aubameyang fourth highest scoring player in FPL and hardly gets a mention on here. Why?

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

      His price

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

        I suppose. It just sites awkwardly between premium and mid price.

        But still scoring higher that Salah, Sterling & Kane who are more expensive. They're in loads of teams.

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

          It’s the fact that your team is only allowed 2 strikers this season with Vardy

          Jimmy, Tammy, Rashford, Ings, DCL, Pukki, Maupay etc all a lot cheaper

          I think Auba’s about the same ownership as Kane... and Sterling is still in a lot of dead teams after his GW1 hattrick

          Having said that, if he gets double figures next game there’ll be a wagon

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

            Very surprised there hasn't been one already

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

              He’s not far enough ahead of the aforementioned alternatives on points yet to warrant a bandwagon

              If he gets way ahead of hem on points there’ll possibly be a case

              As it is, he’s just not offering enough extra points for the extra budget

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

      He's ugly.

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Kane says hi

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He's Gabonese?

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yep lots of racists on here

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

      Definitely his price and cuz its arsenal

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

        Also because better value options in front

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

        121pts so far....easy captain material

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

      Hard to predict his hauls.
      Not at all reliable ©.
      Laca means pushed out wide.
      Cheaper strikers doing so well too

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

      It's arsenal

    7. Saif_LFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lack of Explosiveness.

  2. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why is it so hard for Mour to make TOT solid at the back? Only 1 CS in PL so far. Is Gazza the real culprit? I always thought Mour has the bus parking mentality, especially in bigger games..

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

      Primarily Gazzaniga & Aurier & to a lesser extent Vertonghen as a fullback

      Players are probably also waking up to the realisation that playing in a Jose team is anything but fun

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mourinho = result and no fun

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

          Yep - expect the dressing room “leaks” to start soon

          If not before end of season, then certainly early next year

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

      Ings (c).

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Actually I need TOT to shut down Ings so I can plat Zaha (nor) this week... hence hte question

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

    Sell or keep Tammy?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The biggest question this week! Tammy to Jiminez or not is the dilemma I am facing!

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      S

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

      I sold to Ings last night.

      Front 3 of Vardy, Jimmy and Ings now.

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

    Thinking about Tammy to Jimenez, Grealish to Martial or Targett to someone - thoughts?
    Maybe Grealish Targett to Traore Doherty?

    Henderson/Button
    TAA/Soy/Lund/Targett/Rico
    Mane/KDB/Dele/Grealish/Dendo
    Vardy/Rash/Tammy

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Traore & Doherty move looks tempting!

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Schmeichel Button
    TAA Aurier Lundy Kelly Rico
    Mane KDB Martial D.Luiz Dendo
    Kane Vardy Tammy

    2 FT 0 ITB

    Aurier & D.Luiz to Hanley & Traore for free? Sounds good or anything else?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      good. better if tammy out

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

      Good moves. I've almost same team Pope, Grealish instead of Luiz, Schmeichel. I am considering Watford or WHU def as Aurier replacement.

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

    Ederson is no longer flagged, was his suspension lifted?

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

      One game suspension

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

    With Vardy, Mane & KdB all worthy captain picks and going great, less to worry about Salah, Kane, Aguero, Sterling & co this season.

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That's why the towers are struggling to shoot their price up to become similar to the known premiums

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

    Two free transfers and a team in free fall it seams...

    a. Pogba -> Martial
    b. Pogba + Greenwood -> Hayden + Jimenez
    c. Pogba + Grealish + Greenwood -> Hayden + Martial + Jimenez for -4

    Guaita
    TAA, Aurier, Digne
    Salah, KDB, Maddison, Grealish, Pogba
    Vardy, Ings

    Martin, Greenwood, Lundstram, Kelly, 1.0 million in the bank

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No WC? A for a start

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

        Could use the wildcard but want to save it for later...thanks will get Martial then.

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

      C

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

        Yes, want to to that. I have not taken any hits yet this season, so about time 🙂

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

    Please help 2 ft and 1.2itb any ideas?

    Guaita
    Taa, Aurier, cathcart
    Alli, salah, kdb, grealish
    Vardy, rashford, greenwood

    Bench, Stekelenburg, lundstram, pieters, dendoncker

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish to Adama, Greenie to Ings?

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

      Greenwood to DCL/Maupay, Pieters to Kelly/Rico
      I think that just about works.

  10. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Have the following defense. Who do I transfer out for Gomez? Building towards Liverpool DGW but don't have funds for TAA.

    Rico, Kelly, Lundstram, Digne, Soyuncu

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

      Digne>Kiko give you enough funds for TAA or Robertson?

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

      Lose Digne and get TAA

  11. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Those who chose Salah over Mane on WC moving over to Mane?

    I did the switch and immediately regretted it.

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

      Unless one is injured or suspended, swapping Salah and Mane feels like burning a transfer.

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

        I have one to burn 😉

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Mane way better, they're not comparable if getting the exact minutes

          I made the same mistake, instant switch back and will never look at mo again

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

            I think I need to bite the bullet and make the switch too.

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

              Everyone was singing Salah's praises on here, I think because Mane rest was immanent and (laying no blame) I listened and swapped. Surprisingly as I'm usually more autonomous

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Don't underestimate the effect of seeing hundreds and hundreds of people all posting the same thing. I think in my college days I read a person believing something to be a lie could be convinced it's a truth simply by constantly repeating the lie at them

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

                    That happens in general life. Politicians and MSM spring to mind.

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

                    Yeap, unfortunately this occasion I fell victim. But we're all responsible for our own actions! 🙁

                    Salah>Mane my FT this week I think

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

                    Or... why not have both?

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

                      Too many other options in midfield, and Liverpool defence holds better value

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

                        Currently on both and willing to give it 1 more week at least. Salah has lo9ked good again and just needs to find the finishing touch

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

                          If you have both then great. But so many other appealing mids such as Grealish Maddison Martial Alli/Moura, Traore, KDB etc. Can't have them all

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

        Pick my captain out of this lot?

        Guaita
        TAA Soyuncu Willems Rico (will bench one, still to decide)
        Mane KDB Alli Grealish
        Vardy Jimenez DCL

        1. The Head-Ake
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Vardy

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

          Kevin or Sadio

      4. andres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I feel I need Mane back ASAP.. how would you do that?

        Rash, Alli => DCL, Mane (-4)?

        Hedno
        Sidibe TAA Soy
        Kdb Alli Salah Grealish
        Rash Vardy Ings

        Cantwell, Lund, Kelly 1.7 ITB

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          nahh

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

          no way

        3. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Nope.

        4. andres
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          So how do I get Mane...?

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

          Salah to Mane.

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

        A) Maddison to Mané
        B) wait a week, now Gazza to Ryan

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 3 months ago

            You need mane for sure especially with double coming

            1. The Head-Ake
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              When's the double?

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  GW 24, will creep up on us

            2. The Head-Ake
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I'd get Mane.

          • The Head-Ake
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Ramsdale - (Button)
            (Kelly) - (Lundstram) - Aurier - Soyuncu - TAA
            Grealish - Maddison - KDB - Alli - Mane(c)
            Vardy(vc) - Jiminez - (Greenwood)

            What do I do? I've thought this over and I don't mind losing Lundstram for the next 5 game weeks till I get him back in. Want to get Martial in. I have 1 FT and 0.0 ITB. HELP

          • No Professionals
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Pope
            VVD Soyuncu Kelly
            Salah KDB Alli Grealish
            Vardy Rashford Jimenez

            Button Cantwell Lundstram Rico
            1ft 0.6itb

            Is salah to mane too reactive? Both have equal chance of benching this week.

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Disregard benching, focus on if both share equal minutes mane is ahead and it's not close anymore. He is the clearly better option

            2. Eleven Hag
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              captaincy (fail imminent) and bench ok?

              Guaita
              TAA Soy CTaylor Kelly
              Salah (C) Mane KDB Alli
              Vardy Jimenez

              Greenwood Lund Donker (0.9ITB 0FT)

              CTaylor ➡ Holgate, kelly ➡ Dunk next week for 442

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

              Anyone looked at the average positions for the Liverpool wolves match - the Liverpool number 11 was so far ahead of everyone 🙁

              1. NABIL - FPL otai
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                If only he's more clinical 🙁

              2. @persecuted_by_mods
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Doesn't matter, his finishing is awful, he always running down blind alleys, whenever he's clean through he takes an awful touch. Mane has been better for a whole year now

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

                    I wouldn’t get too carried away - there wasn’t a huge difference between Mané & Salah yesterday

                    They both had 2 goal attempts, both had one on target, both had one big chance... Salah was just much further forward on average

                    If Salah & Mane had exactly the same games as yesterday, except Salah had tucked away that TAA cross early on, or scored the volley from Mane’s knockdown the narrative would be extremely different today - fine margins

                    The important thing is that he’s back from the ankle injury now & the points won’t be far away - it’s only natural that Mane’s points catch the attention - but I really thought he’d have put up a bigger lead while Mo was dealing with the ankle injury - as it is, that points gap is one or two games for Mo

                    I’m actually kind of considering treble Liverpool Defence now though as both Mané & Salah are being put in the shade by Vardy & KDB

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        The difference is these fine margins have gone in favour of Mane for a whole year now, you're still seeing the games in isolation in oh wow Salah had all the chances but he's not scoring all the changes, he's wasting them. He'll never be the 30 goal player, so what is he? Someone who will score less than Mane and isn't worth his price

                        No one is saying he'll never score or haul again but your view is like saying vardy will stop scoring because of xg, the fine margins depend on the player, and if they go on for an extended amount of time then it's fair to say this will continue. Per minutes played on 2019 mane is ahead of Salah, and he has penalties too

                        1. @persecuted_by_mods
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            I can see below you've commented when they're both fit and over a longer stretch you'd expect mo to edge ahead. A whole year isn't a long enough stretch to be outscored? Ankle injury was max 4-5 games

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

                            I think you need to separate that year into its component parts though

                            The part where Mané was 9.5 & Salah was 13.0? Nothing to discuss

                            The part where they were both 12.0 & Salah was injured? Nothing to discuss

                            The part where they’re both 12.5, both fully fit, and Mo is on pens? Lots to discuss 😉

                            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                                4 years, 3 months ago

                                In all of the parts Mane is outscoring Salah, this conversation is only relevant if (when) Salah drops 0.3-5 below Mane

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

                                  When you say “in all of the parts Mané is outscoring Salah”, do you exclude the parts where Salah is outscoring Mané? For example the 4 specific games below?

                                  We obviously don’t want to veer into the territory of those dishonest Salah advocates and politicians 😉 (A person believing something to be a lie could be convinced it's a truth simply by constantly repeating the lie at them 😉 )

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

                              Agree fully with this.
                              I don’t think the Salah/Mane debate should be about “stats” on paper. Just watching the matches, it’s clear who the choice should be.
                              Salah wastes everything he touches. Mane is clinical.
                              Easy.

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

                                Which matches?

                                Bournemouth & Watford?

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

                                  Norwich?

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

                                    Arsenal?

                                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                                        4 years, 3 months ago

                                        Would do this the other way around for mane but would take too much time

                                        Is your point Salah is better than mane or Salah can also score goals sometimes?

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

                                          What if you did it for Mané in the games where they were both fit and both priced together?

                                          My point is the same as it was originally - I wouldn’t get too carried away - there wasn’t a huge difference between Mané & Salah yesterday

                                          They both had 2 goal attempts, both had one on target, both had one big chance... Salah was just much further forward on average

                                          If Salah & Mane had exactly the same games as yesterday, except Salah had tucked away that TAA cross early on, or scored the volley from Mane’s knockdown the narrative would be extremely different today - fine margins

                                          The important thing is that he’s back from the ankle injury now & the points won’t be far away - it’s only natural that Mane’s points catch the attention - but I really thought he’d have put up a bigger lead while Mo was dealing with the ankle injury - as it is, that points gap is one or two games for Mo

                                          I’m actually kind of considering treble Liverpool Defence now though as both Mané & Salah are being put in the shade by Vardy & KDB

                                      • Boberella
                                        • 7 Years
                                        4 years, 3 months ago

                                        Watford and Bournemouth the exceptions.
                                        Just generally when I watch pool I find myself regularly disappointed in Salah for either screwing up a first touch, running in the wrong direction, losing possession or not passing when he should. (If he did, Mane would be probably be double his score by now)

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

                                          And that’s somewhat understandable in that the last 2-3 months of watching Salah has been contaminated in large parts by his ankle injury - but either side of that we have those 4 games above....

                                          And for me - when I watched Leicester and Wolves I didn’t see a Mané that was head & shoulders above Salah at all, or anywhere near it - yet the narrative is exactly that

                                          Which is why I’m advising caution with the generalisations & advocating scratching a bit deeper

                                          Personally, I think Vardy & KDB are intruiging captaincy alternatives to both, which also coincidentally enable a triple defence... food for thought

                                          1. @persecuted_by_mods
                                              4 years, 3 months ago

                                              Even when he's hauled he plays like that, even yesterday he played like that. Don't trust him to finish anything

                                              Also again this is what I mean by isolation, if I had never played fpl before and watched any one game of Liverpool this season where both mane and Salah played and had to pick one for my fpl team for the next match I think 97% of the time I'd think Salah was the better pick. But because I've watched all Liverpool matches for a long time and don't view in isolation I can see that mane is the better pick

                                              If your point is this recent upturn in form for Salah could reverse what was once Salah outscoring mane just as easily as mane reversed it on Salah then sure go with that, I don't see it happening myself I see mane continuing to outscore Salah, taking a 4 game sample and blaming the whole of 2019 on an ankle is disingenuous

                                            • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                                              • 14 Years
                                              4 years, 2 months ago

                                              That’s ok, any individual’s eyetest is always subjective and different poeple will see different things - for example you see a Salah who “can’t be trusted to finish anything”, whose “finishing is awful”, who “runs down blind alleys”, who “whenever he’s clean through takes an awful touch”

                                              Personally I think that’s hyperbole, actually worryingly so, given that he’s one goal behind Mané on the season despite the injury

                                              You also seem to put a huge emphasis on this “year” sample in which that Mané has been outscoring Salah, without being particularly objective on the actual sample, other than the fact that it should exclude the game(s) where Salah outscores Mane (e.g. Norwich, Arsenal, Bournemouth, Watford this season for example) and that it should also include the games influenced by Salah’s injury...

                                              For transparency could you share the sample size you’ve based your conclusions on, it would be interesting to see the games, goals, assists for each - even moreso the underlying stats, but that may be a bit of an effort - it would be fascinating to see 🙂

                                              Personally, as I said, I wouldn’t get too carried away - there wasn’t a huge difference between Mané & Salah yesterday - I still think Salah has a structural advantage over Mané that warrants his selection - when they’re both fully fit, and both priced equally 🙂

                          • Azathoth
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Yeah,but number 10 scored and got the baps.....

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

                              Exactly - very fine margins that are being interpreted as massive differences

                          • The Train Driver
                            • 8 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            So many ifs...

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

                          So i have 2ft and in desperate need to tighten up my defence, i currently have taa, lundstram and cathcart, iv 10.7 to pick two who would hou go for?

                        3. Pep Roulette
                          • 6 Years
                          4 years, 3 months ago

                          Best forward for 8.8 to have for the next 3 gameweeks?

                          1. No Professionals
                            • 6 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Jimenez

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

                            Possibly DCL and keep the change

                          3. @persecuted_by_mods
                              4 years, 3 months ago

                              Jiminez, removed Abraham as I can see the Kante further forward experiment will continue and he creates f all

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

                            Any changes warranted here?

                            Schmeichel
                            Trent sidibe aurier
                            Kdb maddison mane grealish Salah
                            Vardy ings

                            Button Greenwood lundy Williams

                            1ft .1itb

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

                            I'm planning a double LIV defense for the DGW - already have TAA. Is it worth downgrading Alli to someone like Sarr so I can afford Robertson, or go to Moura instead but then I can only settle for Van Dijk?

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

                              Robertson worth the extra £ imo

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

                            What's the point of having both Salah and Mane? I'd rather have one and get two defenders. Is it FOMO?

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

                              I did exactly that. TAA Robertson Salah/Mane is a great choice

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

                                Agreed. I'd like to think Van Dijk will do 'Last season Laporte' type games too.

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

                              Agreed

                              In fact, I’m almost in the space of get 3 Liverpool defenders and let Vardy & KDB fight it out for the captaincy each week

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

                                That’s one reliable strategy but When you watch Liverpool play between the 80 and the 90 mark when they are leading you just know point potential is too huge with salah and mané on the counter to ignore imo

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

                                  But at those prices... 12.5 is an awful lot of budget to not be captaining

                                  And my hunch is hat Vardy will be a very reliable perma captain for the last half of the season, perhaps with a smattering of KDB’s

                                  Whereas with 3 Liverpool defenders you have a chance of a goal (and an assist) with every DFK, IFK & corner!

                                  It’s extreme, and won’t fit the narrative of one of Mané/Salah being essential though

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

                                    In took a gamble and went both mane and Salah.....has not paid off yet. Do I get rid of one or stick for another week?

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

                                    Both strategies are ok imo it’s just a matter of timing. I have just brought salah in along with mané until the double 24. Then salah is an easy downgrade to Son/Kdb etc with an upgrade to robbo at the back with the freed funds (I have TAA)

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

                                That's actually quite a viable strategy. But I'm guessing you didn't hop on the Mane train straight away?

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

                                  Nope - I’ve never been a massive Mané fan since he was priced so closely to Mo

                                  I’m still not, rightly or wrongly

                                  He’s a fantastic player, but Mo’s underlying statistics are generally always equal to/better than Mane’s, and he usually has pens so from a value perspective I’ve never been convinced (WHEN THEY’RE THE SAME PRICE 🙂 )

                                  Mo’s ankle injury has clouded things for a large part of this season, but when they’re both fit and over a longer stretch, I’d fully expect Mo to edge ahead

                                  Vardy perma (c) or Vardy/KDB (c) rotation paired with treble Liverpool D in a 442 is looking intriguing though

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

                                    One question, GW24 captain?

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

                                      GW24 could be the trigger to press the treble defence button

                                      Or is it utterly mental to consider TAA?

                                      Vardy home to West Ham May not be terrible either?

                                      Wolves dealt so well last night with both Salah & Mane... will they do similar in GW24?

                                      So many questions.... GW24 is right around the corner too, only 2 GW’s after midweek!

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

                                    Do you think Vardy is a good option against a Newcastle side that is going put 11 men in front of goal?

                                    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                                      • 14 Years
                                      4 years, 2 months ago

                                      Yeah I think he’s a good option in almost any game - but it would be brave to captain him in a Liverpool double gameweek, at first glance anyways

                                    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                                      • 14 Years
                                      4 years, 2 months ago

                                      Plus he’s totally rested vs Newcastle... assuming the new baby hasn’t got him sleep deprived 🙂

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

                              Probably the latter. I can't imagine spending 24m+ on 2 players that basically have an equal chance of scoring.

                              I had Salah from the start of the season and only took him out when he had injury problems.

                          7. rnrd
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Isn’t Traoré flirting with the essential status at this stage considering his form and price ?

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

                              His price is great, but I want a bit more consistency from him.

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

                            Worth a -4 ?

                            Zaha + Kane >> Mane + DCL

                            I have Salah, TAA and Alli.

                            Thanks Guys.

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

                            A) Grealish -> Traore (-4)
                            B) Grealish, Aurier -> Martial, 4.1 DEF (-8)
                            C) Salah, Greenwood -> Martial, Rashford (-8)

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

                              D) no hit

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

                            Comparing Jesus to Aguero

                            Roughly same minutes.
                            Jesus slightly ahead on xG including penalties.
                            Aguero 10g Jesus 6g

                          11. Wally banter
                            • 11 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Triple cap salah on gw 24 and put curtain to the disastrous season. Yes im up for that