Scout Notes

Arteta’s Arsenal show signs of defensive improvement in United victory

Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United

  • Goals: Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m), Sokratis (£4.9m)
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus: Sokratis x3, Bernd Leno (£5.0m) x2, Pepe x1

Earlier this week we wrote about the green shoots of recovery shown by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in their defeat to Chelsea.

There was further encouragement on New Year’s Day, with the Gunners deserved winners over the Jekyll-and-Hyde outfit that is Manchester United.

The matches in Gameweeks 20 and 21 followed a similar pattern, with the difference this time being that Arsenal had established a more comfortable two-goal cushion by the time their energy levels were depleted.

The north London side look much hungrier under their new head coach, with their all-action, high-pressing approach clearly borrowed from the Manchester City playbook.

It’ll take a while for Arteta to fully get his methods across to this Arsenal squad, who are, by their own admission, not fit enough to carry out their manager’s demanding gameplan for a full 90 minutes.

The Gunners were gasping for air in the second half, with a flagging Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) pleading to be substituted and Lucas Torreira (£4.7m) scoffing an energy bar as his own limbs seized up.

Interviewed after the game, David Luiz (£5.7m) said:

We have to be honest and admit physically we are not ready, but you have to show heart and this team is ready to change a lot of things.

Arteta himself added:

That wasn’t the plan [to sit back in the second half], I have to admit, but at the moment we are suffering a little bit to maintain the intensity we had in the first half. I think it will come, it is part of the process, the way we train, but at the moment we don’t have much time to do so.

It might be that we don’t really see the fruits of Arteta’s labour until 2020/21, then, after the Gunners have had a full, intensive pre-season under their new boss.

The impact has been immediate, though, and Fantasy managers will be watching with interest ahead of some appealing fixtures for the Gunners in Gameweeks 25-32.

We FPL bosses have largely dodged the Arsenal defence for a while now but it is at the back where the Gunners look most improved, with the sight of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) diligently covering his left-back and even Mesut Ozil (£7.2m) tracking back from the number ten role summing up the collective approach to defending.

It was only an error from Bernd Leno (£5.0m) that let Chelsea back into the game last Sunday and, with the Gunners not shooting themselves in the foot this time around, United never seriously looked like getting back into the game.

Names we have all smirked at over the past couple of years – Luiz, Sokratis (£4.9m), Sead Kolasinac (£5.2m) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) – were all superb at the back, with Torreira and Granit Xhaka (£5.1m) covering expertly in front of them.

Carry on like this and we may even have to start considering them for the weeks and months ahead.

Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m) was named in the starting XI for the first time by Arteta, impressing down the right flank and opening the scoring when converting a deflected cross from Kolasinac.

Pepe later struck the upright and created chances for Lacazette, Aubameyang and Torreira in an eye-catching 62-minute showing.

Arsenal’s two premium FPL forwards contributed majorly to the cause without having too many sights of goal, with Lacazette screwing his best chance wide after making a fool out of Harry Maguire (£5.2m) and Aubameyang volleying his only shot of the game off-target.

Mesut Ozil (£7.2m) continues to sparkle in ‘the hole’, meanwhile, but there is a sense that he might not be the most explosive FPL asset in the mid-price midfield bracket, given that he’s had only one shot since Arteta took charge.

After back-to-back wins over Newcastle United and Burnley, the Red Devils treated us to one of their meek away-day specials at the Emirates.

For the money that we pay for the likes of Anthony Martial (£7.9m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) in FPL – not unsubstantial but hardly top-dollar, either – we have become accustomed to swallowing the occasional dismal display in the knowledge that a haul may be just around the corner.

United started the brighter of the two teams, with Rashford forcing Leno into a save early on, but a positive opening ten minutes gave way to a fairly poor performance, with Maguire’s close-range header on the stroke of half-time as close as the Red Devils came to finding a way past Leno.

Martial indeed didn’t have a single shot, while Rashford was wasteful and Daniel James (£6.1m) and Jesse Lingard (£6.3m) were anonymous as the United attack failed to click.

The likes of Maguire and Luke Shaw (£5.4m) were pretty ropey at the back, too, as they have been for much of 2019/20.

Still, bottom-of-the-table Norwich (who the Red Devils play next in the league) offer Rashford and co an immediate chance at redemption, just as Newcastle did after the Gameweek 18 loss to Watford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troops will likely be without Paul Pogba (£8.4m) when they next play in the Premier League, with the United boss saying of the Frenchman in his post-match presser:

He’s injured now and he’ll probably need an operation on his foot. And let’s see how long it takes for him to get back.

We’ve had scans and while it’s nothing major, it’s something that has to be sorted and dealt with, within a timeframe. He’s been advised to do it as soon as possible.

It’s a big blow that Paul is out now – he’ll probably be out for three or four weeks – and Scott will be out for a few months. Scott has been magnificent and we hoped Paul could come back. He can’t – he’ll be back within a month or so. 

On the injury front at Arsenal, Sokratis, Xhaka and Kolasinac were back in the starting XI after recent absences, although the latter seemed to aggravate his ankle problem before being substituted in the second half.

Dani Ceballos (£5.2m) was on the bench, too, but failed to get on.


Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac (Saka 69′); Torreira, Xhaka; Pepe (Nelson 63′), Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette (Guendouzi 82′).

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, Matic (Mata 81′); James (Greenwood 59′), Lingard (Pereira 59′), Rashford; Martial.

Members Analysis

1,148 Comments Post a Comment
  1. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Wildcard this?

    Pope Button

    TAA Aurier Lund Soy Rico

    Salah KDB Dele Maddison Hayden

    Vardy Rashford Maupay

    1. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That's a good side - I wouldn't.

    2. checkit_j
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah don't.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yh your team is a mess. Only TAA and KDB are the players worth holding on to

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

        Vardy Maddison Soy worth keeping in addition

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Just kidding. Add Salah and the leicester boys as well

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

      Similar to my team with Grealish and Martial in it ... thinking another week to WC for me

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

    Early set for next few weeks. Gradually filter out Pope and Aurier for fab and someone for the next couple ....

    Pope
    Lunds soy TAA
    Mane Traore salah KDB (c)
    Vardy Rash DCL

    Button cantwell Aurier Prodl

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Gtg?

    2. Kip
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Gtg mate, i’d look at Aurier=> Holgate

      1. StayoutheSpiceZone
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yes good shout. Already taken a -4 so will move that on in next couple

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep looks good mate

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Could do the same but keeping jimmi over DCL. The reason being I would bang my head choosing a captain. 2 defenders both have a chance of scoring heavy. Less chance both mane and salah score well. Went Salah diff captain

  3. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope
    Aurier Lundstram TAA
    Maddison KDB Mane Martial
    Ings Vardy Abraham

    4.0 Cantwell Masuaku Kelly

    0.1 itb.

    Aurier to Söyüncü, right?

    1. NUFCAndrew
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Easiest decision you make this season probably

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Absolutely!

  4. The Fed
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    KDB couldn't have played deeper yesterday if he tried to, should I still be looking to get him in or priotize getting Liverpool players of DW?

    Schmeichel

    Soy | Lord | Rico

    Salah | Martial | Rich | Alli

    Kane* | Vardy | Abraham

    Button | Kelly | Tomori| Lansbury

    0.5 ITB, 2 FT.

    A) Kane, Alli > Jimmy, KDB

    B) Kane, Alli > Jimmy, Mane

    C) Kane, Tomori > Jimmy, TAA

    D) Something else

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Be thankful he didnt punish you yesterday...again as he did in previous games and just get him in ASAP imo.

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Still think on balance he is going to be near essential between now and end of season.

      I would still get him and find an alternative route to Pool triple up

  5. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all - hope 2020 is starting well for you!

    Weighing up my moves between now and GW24 - which do you prefer?

    A) Alli, Willems > Grealish, Robbo/VVD (benching headache between DCL and Grealish every week)
    B) Alli, Willems > Cantwell, Robbo/ VVD (£1.7-2.3m itb and less benching headache)
    C) Alli, Martial > Salah, Dendo
    D) Alli, Martial, Willems > Salah, Cantwell, Kiko
    E) Something else entirely!

    Guaita, McGovern
    TAA, Soy, Lunds, Rico, Willems*
    Mané, KDB, Maddison, Alli*, Martial*
    Vardy, Ings, DCL

    Thanks 🙂

    1. Postbox12
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      For me the L'pool double up in defence is the better option as will leave the balance better post double gameweek as well.

      So with that in mind I'd go for A.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        It definitely rips up the team less than getting Salah in .... but it still relies a lot on a decent number of CSs which we have seen isn't easy to come by, that's the fear!

        You think giving myself that DCL vs Grealish headache each week is worth it?

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C for me. Leaves a very nice 3-4-3

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hey mate HNY.

        Agree the result looks nice and no headaches. The bitter part is ditching Martial when I just got him in and having Willems probably dropping weekly in price on my bench but maybe it's worth it to have the Salah, Mané power duo!

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          HNY! Yeah tricky call. GL

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

      B with useful money itb

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        The positive with B is that I won't feel quite as sick that I just ditched Grealish (for Martial) by getting him straight back in 😆

        You trust the defensive double up more than the mids or you prefer it because of the value?

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Damn... 3 different answers out of 3 replies 😆

  6. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What should I do here? 2 free transfers and 0.6 in the bank.

    Guaita Button
    TAA Lund Soy Aurier Reid
    Mane Salah KDB Grealish Hayden
    Maupay Jimenez Vardy

    1. Postbox12
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maupay and Aurier to Kelly and Ings work?

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I like it but get Ings after Lei maybe so just Aurier > Holgate and bank FT

      2. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Aurier definitely on his way out but I'm not keen on Kelly

    2. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimi to Ings

      Grealish to Maddison/Martial

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Jimi will stay for two more games. Then Grealish could become Maddison/Martial

        1. OLLY G
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Save for now then, but maybe Aurier to Dunk before deadline.

          1. Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Wouldn't Webster or Holgate be better? Kinda need the extra cash if I want to upgrade Grealish later. Maupay to DCL most tempting at the moment

            1. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Maupay has Villa after Everton, which is why I will hold until after that game

              1. Jullepuu
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                DCL has BRI, whu and NEW coming up. Those seem better than what Maupay has

  7. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rumours villa interested in Sturbridge

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge*

    2. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Must be concerned Heaton and Wesley will get lonely in the treatment room

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ironically Stourbridge is close to Villa so without your second post could have been talking about a new ground lol.

      Sturridge is one of those golden (plated) age players who keep popping up. Hilarious

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lol, yea I don’t think Sturridge is a great shout 😀

  8. Arfaish
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Sidibe nailed in Evertons midfield?

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Seems like it

  9. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ryan Button
    TAA Gomez Söy Lund Rico
    Salah KDB Maddison Martial Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Ings
    2ft. 0.1 itb.
    Dont see the need to do anything, maybe move Martial but hardly before Norwich at home. Losing Vardy not exciting unless he is missing more games. Any ideas?

    1. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wow yeah I wouldn't touch anything. As you say only Martial and Rashford would bother me but I wouldn't move this week

  10. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Greenwood (instead of Rashford) in for Kane, to make way for Salah in the DGW?

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Early opinions on this?

    A. Maupay+Aurier >> Ings+Holgate
    B. Maupay+Pope >> DCL+Fab
    C. Maupay >> DCL (& roll)
    D. Pope >> Fab (& roll)

    Pope
    TAA • Soy • Lundy
    Salah • Mané • Richarli • KDB • Grealish
    Vardy • Greeny
    (McGov. Maupay. Rico. Aurier)

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Maupay this GW imo as Ings has Lei so Aurier > Holgate and roll but as you have 3 nice strating defs maybe change GK?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. So D?

        1. StoichkovFPL
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          GKs transfers are sooo boring but probably yes

        2. StoichkovFPL
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          But dont expect much from Fabianski. I would go Ryan.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      D for this week mate imo

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      one worldly save from Kepa and you sell a player with that fixture run ahead? And two attacking players from an Ancelotti team sounds meh.. Aurier is so def out, can you afford Sidibe if you leave Maupay as it is? If you do that, is sidibé better to play vs Brighton than DCL and would DCl be better next two after that when Maupay got Villa and Bou while Everton have WHU and NEW? That is, if you play Sidibe over Greenwood.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Was just looking at options. Could leave Maupay. Also, might just switch my keeper as I have 3 good options at the back anyways without the Sidibé headache

  12. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who has more chance of being rested tonight?

    1 Mané
    2 Salah
    3 Firmino

    ?

    1. Postbox12
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mane based on minutes played recently but I have a feeling it might be Salah.

    2. Chris_H
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Honestly don't think any will be, four days since the last game is plenty and he can rest in the FA Cup.

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        They're playing Eve in an FA Cup derby, can't see all three being rested for that match. Someone will give way against SHU tonight.

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

      Its Mane's turn I think.

    4. BrutalLogiC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Prob Mane but think will will start, highly annoying with and vc after Vardy, just thankful KDB failed

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      playing four days after last game and vs a tight and very solid SHU, no rests. Rest will be in cup game, where Minamino, Origi and possibly Elliott/Brewster given a chance. Unless there are a niggle or something, they start.

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

    Would you rather have Sidibe or DCL for Everton's good run?

    1. Postbox12
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL, think there's a rest in Sidibe with other options available. Can't see DCL not starting any games.

  14. Postbox12
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking of Mount to Grealish and Alli to either

    A) Maddison
    B) Martial

    with 2 FT's. This will leave enough ITB to upgrade Chilwell to Robbo or VVD for the DGW. Thoughts?

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A for me

  15. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Time for a change! Any tips?

    2FT/1.1 ITB

    Guaita, Button
    Kelly, TAA, Lundstram, Soy, Kiko
    Mane, KdB, Alli,Richarlison, Hayden
    Ings, Jimenez, Vardy

    Alli and Richarlison to go?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Alli > Madds and roll

    2. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Alli ➡ Maddison

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

      Cheers! Seems clear! No Spurs assets any more?

      1. Arse Craic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not at the min.
        Son was always the one to get, so I will wait and see after the DGW

        1. Tshelby
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers Craic.

  16. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    ManU were so bad last night.
    Way too many showboaters who have to either take 2 touches before looking up to pass or having to try a fancy take-down first.
    Terrible terrible stuff.

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Likely to bounce back against Norwich though United play counter attacking football that's thier style,Norwich are very fluid and have a go home and away not sure if you have any Man Utd assets but might be worth keeping them for the next three.

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Keeping for Nor is a good plan.
        I've Rash, who'll be making way for Deul or DCL after that.
        What's your plans

  17. Arse Craic
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA│Lundstram│Soyuncu
    KDB│Salah│Mane│Maddison│Pulisic
    Vardy│Ings

    Button│Greenwood│Hanley│Taylor

    Pulisic ➡

    A.Martial
    B.Traore
    C.Sarr

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      I'm looking at Alli -> Dilva, but it can wait another week - can yours?

      1. Arse Craic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Was looking at Dilva but Martial vs Norwich is decent this week

  18. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which teams defence would you prefer to invest in for 4.5mil or less?
    1) Watford
    2) Everton (Holgate)
    3) Bournemouth (Rico)
    4)Crystal Palace (Kelly)
    5) West ham (Fredericks)

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Holgate

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. He looks a goal threat too

    2. Chris_H
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Watford or Everton for me

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. I'm edging towards one of these two

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

      Ogbonna.

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Why do you prefer him to Fredericks?

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Fredericks is a good pick for sure. I am just putting out an alternative to consider.
          Og is a bap magnet with the odd goal in him.

          1. internal error
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks. I will give it some thought

    4. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I have similar issue but think it must be Holgate.
      Watford fix arent great, Bou cant defend plus Rico sub isnt nice, Kelly may lose his place and WHU hav awful fix so even DGW doesnt make it tempting for me atm.

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good points

    5. RoryzonderR
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Watford, unless Kabasele is banned ( not yet flagged ‘red’ ?) Otherwise Everton

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        red card means suspension in next competetive game which is FA cup.

  19. checkit_j
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 ft to use on this.

    Gazza
    Soy Taa Lund - Rico kiko
    Salah Maddi Moura Kdb - Dendo
    Vardy Ings Rash

    Fab or Ryan? Form vs fixtures.
    + Saving up for game week 24.

    A) Gazza and Moura - > Ryan and Traore
    B) Gazza to Ryan/Fab and save?
    C) something else?

  20. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any suggestions for my team appreciated. Keep zaha one more week?

    Foster
    Taa - Sidibe - Lund
    Zaha - KDB - Alli - Salah
    Vardy - ings - (D)eulofeu

    Henderson, Moutinho, Kelly, Rico

    Next week play Henderson at home to ham or foster away to Bournemouth? Thanks

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Any money ITB? What's your plan for getting another Liverpool player in? This probably needs to be considered when making any moves now.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Oh yea sorry, 2.7 in the bank. Ideally want Mane but can’t see any obvious way of doing it. Most
        Likely going to involve losing Alli, that or losing Vardy. Only upside to losing Vardy would be getting Mane and Haller in at the same time. So no clear plan there yet, not opposed to bobby instead

  21. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Should I take a -4 to get Salah in for Alli or wait a week (no Liverpool mids at present)

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wait to see who gets the rest tonight then pounce.

  22. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Alli/Maupay OUT

    Maddison/Ings IN

    2FTS still have 1.8mitb for Pool dgw shenanigans...

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aye

  23. team77
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one-
    A. Grealish
    B. Richarlison
    C. Martial

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial vs Norwich

  24. Party time
      4 years, 2 months ago

      How was Kdb yesterday? Did he actually play deeper or just decided not to turn up?

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Doesn't matter if he played deeper KDB is a season keeper

        1. Party time
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yes, Thanks buddy 🙂

            1. HurriKane
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Didnt offer too much going forward vs everton. Probably was fatigued after playing all Christmas games.

              Will be fully refreshed for next gw after extensive break

          • camarozz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            True but would u swap him out for Pools dgw??

            I might add Salah to Mane, already have TAA..

            Kdb has Sheffield..

        2. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          He was notably deeper.I believe is was due to Foden taking up most of his territory. That won't happen often.

        3. Will Kane
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I think Pep roulette extends beyond just who he picks, but also where he plays them. I fell into the trap of ditching KDB a few weeks back because of a perception he was 'playing too deep'. Next game he was virtually a striker and got 19 points and I had to get him straight back in. As Hurrikane says, he is a season keeper.

        4. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          he got 14 points from the same position vs SHU, so it kind of depends what he does, not where he plays. If you watch the assist and goals vs SHu the first one is almost a Rodri type of assist, he collects the ball from a miscued pass (ref also played a part in it-) and then shuffled it to Kun. The other one came after they regained the ball from deep, and he decided to run along with the counter and was nicely set up by Mahrez. Overall he looked very lively in that game, with lots of energy, vs Everton in the same position he was more timid and reluctant to go on those runs. Not sure he will play with that formation long term.

        5. Party time
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks all. Really appreciate the feedback

        6. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Which TWO would you bench next GW?

          Rico(WAT)
          Maupay(eve)
          Greenwood(NOR)

          1. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Play Maupay

          2. Arse Craic
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Rico and Greenwood

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

            Rico for sure, if greenwood looks like starting then B, otherwise A, C

        7. Whats the Mata?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Thoughts on:

          Alli + Rashford to DCL + Sterling for free?

          Sterling to Mane in gw24 then.

          1. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Just get Mane now. Spurs and united are there for the taking

          2. DantheManinaPan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I'm not sure I'd spend the transfer on Sterling for two weeks. Every chance Mane matches or even outscores him.
            I did Mane -> Sterling before the Liverpool blank. In that time he has scored 19 points and Mane has scored 17 with a game in hand against SHU. Definitely feel like I was trying to be too clever (a theme for me this season).

        8. Alexis Nonsense
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Any chance Rico loses his place?

          Or was it tactically ?

          1. bench boost for every gamew…
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            with all the injuries no, tactical it seemed. I think Howe wanted to make 11 changes.

        9. DantheManinaPan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Across the next three weeks I'm planning four transfers. The question I have atm is when I do each.

          OUT: Kelly, Targett, Sterling, Rashford
          IN: TAA, Holgate, Mane, DCL

          Full team:
          Hendo, Martin
          Lund, Soy, Aurier, Kelly, Targett
          Salah, Sterling, KDB, Martial, Cantwell
          Vardy, Rashford, Maupay

          Current plan is:
          GW22: Targett -> Holgate
          GW23: Kelly + Rashford -> TAA + DCL -4
          GW24: Sterling -> Mane

          Any issues or suggestions? I fancy making the Holgate move this week as his fixture easily trumps Kelly's, Aurier's and Targett's

        10. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Henderson
          Sidibe Trent Lundstrum
          Grealish Salah Mane DeBruyne
          Vardy (C) Ings Maupay

          Otamendi Kelly March

          Good to go?

        11. OLLY G
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Stupidly took a hit for Martial to ditch Grealish, planning to lose Maddison to facilitate Salah.

          Do l bite the bullet and accept ny mistake and keep Maddison and transfer out Martial?

          Thanks.

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

            I would but not this week

          2. bench boost for every gamew…
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            after norwich you can do that.