Scout Notes

De Bruyne hauls again as decision time over City assets draws nearer

Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United

  • Goals: Rodri (£5.4m), Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m)
  • Assists: De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva (£7.8m)
  • Bonus: De Bruyne x3, Rodri x2, Kyle Walker (£5.7m), Nicolas Otamendi (£5.0m) x1

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) registered his highest Fantasy Premier League points haul of the calendar year in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday night.

The routine victory for Pep Guardiola’s side finally, finally brought an interminably long Gameweek 26 to a close, with the focus now swiftly switching to the Saturday’s Gameweek 27 deadline.

Given that the reigning champions next face a trip to Leicester, a blank in Gameweek 28 and a flurry of cup matches that could trigger some rotation in the Premier League, there’ll be a significant number of Fantasy managers who will be considering ditching their City assets.

Four of the ten most-sold players of Gameweek 27 are on the Citizens’ books, with over 50,000 Fantasy bosses having already shipped De Bruyne out over the last week and a half.

The Belgian is doing his utmost to prevent that exodus intensifying, with his 14-point haul against the Hammers taking him back to the top of the overall FPL points table.

He is easily on course to break his best-ever single-season points total and he has now matched his number of attacking returns in 2017/18 (eight goals, 18 assists) with a dozen games still remaining.

His latest double-digit bonanza began with an assist for Rodri‘s (£5.4m) opener, with the Spanish midfielder meeting De Bruyne’s corner with a looping, 29th-minute header to put City in front.

The Belgium international then doubled the hosts’ lead after the break, taking the ball off Bernardo Silva (£7.8m) after some neat interplay and firing a deflected effort past Lukasz Fabianski (£4.9m) at his near post.

There could have been other/further attacking returns, with De Bruyne teeing up the misfiring Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) for two big chances at either end of the game: the first blocked by Aaron Cresswell (£4.7m), the second fired straight into the midriff of Fabianski from eight yards.

It was a real off-night for the Brazilian striker, who had missed City’s first quality opportunity of the evening when needlessly overcomplicating a one-on-one with the West Ham goalkeeper following David Silva‘s (£7.4m) fine through-ball.

Jesus, playing on the left of City’s 4-3-3, enjoyed the best of the home side’s chances on Wednesday but Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) had plenty of sights of goal, too, registering more shots than any other forward in Gameweek 26.

The Argentine striker evoked memories of Ronaldinho’s goal against Chelsea in 2005 with one off-target effort in the first half, later sending a cross-shot narrowly wide of Fabianski’s post and seeing a handful of other attempts blocked by a West Ham defence that were content to sit on the edge of their own box.

Aguero could easily have had a penalty in the first half, too, with Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m) escaping punishment for a grab at the City striker’s nether regions as he prepared to shoot.

Despite City being down two wingers in the form of Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) and Leroy Sane (£9.3m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) missed out on a place in Guardiola’s starting XI for only the second time in nine Gameweeks.

There were little clues as to his manager’s team selection thoughts in the post-match press conference, with much of the discussion centred around City’s potential two-year suspension from the UEFA Champions League, and therein lies one of the problems about continued investment in this free-scoring City side: security of starts.

Who knows what Guardiola has lined up for Gameweek 27? Mass rotation ahead of the trip to the Bernabeu or another game of “finding rhythm” before the Champions League last 16?

Mahrez and Fernandinho (£5.2m) at least will fancy their chances of a start after failing to get off the bench in midweek, while an early substitution for De Bruyne, plus the fact that he has now started 18 league games in a row, perhaps points to the Belgian getting another run-out.

Beyond that, it’s the usual guesswork and no-one will be 100% confident of a start at the King Power Stadium.

Guardiola made five alterations to his team for this encounter, with Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m), Benjamin Mendy (£5.5m), Jesus, Bernardo and Silva replacing Mahrez, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan (£5.2m), the suspended Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.2m) and the injured Sterling.

It remains to be seen if Silva is fit in time for the clash with Brendan Rodgers’ side, with the veteran midfielder having hobbled off in the second half on Wednesday.

Guardiola said of ‘El Mago’ in his post-match-presser:

He told me that he felt something but no big issue, I think. So tomorrow we are going to know exactly. He told me that it was more caution after the action he has in the goal with the keeper.

West Ham scarcely endangered City’s clean sheet, not having a single shot on target, but then this was never about going toe to toe with Guardiola’s side and more about an exercise in damage limitation, with David Moyes indeed stressing the importance of “goal difference” in his post-match interview.

In that sense, the Hammers were partly successful, coping fairly well after an early 20-minute blitz and restricting City to two shots on target (one of which was De Bruyne’s goal) in the second half.

Ogbonna impressed at centre-half, while Declan Rice (£4.7m) was excellent in midfield, mopping up in front of the back five.

Many Fantasy managers (over two-thirds in our captaincy poll) will be handing the armband to a Liverpool player in Gameweek 24, with the Reds taking on West Ham next Monday evening.

This latest display from Moyes’ side at the Etihad was surely a taste of what’s to come, with visitors setting up in a 5-4-1 behind the forlorn figure of Michail Antonio (£6.9m) up top.

Reflecting on the match, Moyes said:

I thought we were really well organised defensively, I think we worked with a good organisation. The structure we set up tonight was to try to make it difficult for Man City. I think with the quality they have got, there will be very few teams come here and be open, I think we have seen that with lots of teams.

We done a decent job. Not good enough to get any points from the game, but I thought there were some bits of defending that were very good. Man City played very well on the ball, yes we gave them the ball sometimes but we also tried to make it hard when it mattered and we ended up conceding from a corner-kick and maybe one we could have stopped with the second one.

The West Ham boss said of Ryan Fredericks (£4.4m), who was substituted on the hour mark with a shoulder injury:

We think it’s something to do with his AC joint [shoulder], we think he may have popped it. We don’t think it is a dislocation and I don’t know yet exactly what it will entail.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte (Stones 65′), Mendy; De Bruyne (Gundogan 78′), Rodrigo, D Silva (Foden 84′); Aguero, Jesus, B. Silva.

West Ham United XI (5-4-1): Fabianski; Fredericks (Zabaleta 60′), Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku; Snodgrass (Bowen 79′), Rice, Noble, Soucek; Antonio.

Members Analysis

617 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mufc202020
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Could someone explain who may have a DGW 29 and how it will happen?

    Thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Check Ben crellin Twitter. Even has a YouTube video !

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Either Arsenal would need to be knocked out of Europa next week, or City/Chelsea GW31 fixture has to be brought forward at short notice due to FA Cup postponement.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        City and Arsenal or City and Chelsea would have DGW's.

  2. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pépé has really stepped up since long awaited change of manager. Overall his performances were quite good during first 6 months at the club but because he wasn't racking up G&A it gets unnoticed. There's so much more to come too so I'm really excited about next seasons!

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Could also become FPL beast and the best Arsenal asset to own sooner than expected.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Needs a price decrease next season if we're being honest. He came in at 9m, for context, someone like Son came in at 9.5.

      7.5-8m is a fair price.

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, I was thinking he'd be 8 or 8.5 but they went too far.

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Actually came in at 9.5

    3. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I just compared Pepe's last 2 matches with all of Pepe's matches..... I think you're onto something

  3. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Kun cappers in tears

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Had Salah so not much of a difference

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        1 point gained. We feast!

        1. kamdaraji
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          May well be rested for Leicester game too

    2. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Non cappers crying tears of joy

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Feel sorry for Andy. Wildcarded this week and got 49 points. Had he played exactly the same team he did last week before wildcarding he would have got 73 points.

        https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/58/event/26

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Sub 1mil rank now, ouch!
          Be interested to see if he follows through with his BB plan this week.

          1. kamdaraji
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Son Injured. Doubt it

  4. navyadav
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed
    Hey Guys , need some help navigating gameweek 28 .

    Hendo (Button)
    TAA Soy Egan Dunk Kelly
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish Cantwell
    Ings Auba Firmino

    I have 5 people blanking with Soy and Cantwell to come of the bench . So still have 3 places to fill.
    Thinking of taking a hit with 2 FT's to get the 3 places .
    Auba to Vardy
    Hendo to Pope/McCarthy
    Then Maybe Grealish to Richarlison or Kelly to Lacelles

    Would these be good moves ? and should I take the -4 or just navigate with 10 players playing?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      So do you have 2fts this gw ?

      1. navyadav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        next gameweek .... saving a FT this week

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          The moves you suggest look decent .not sure about richarlison in view of fixtures though

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’d switch Henderson out, I think they play Utd soon, and he can’t play that game either.

      Will you be playing free hit in 31?

      I’d probably lose Auba too, for Jiminez

      1. navyadav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yeah free hit 31 ...... I was planning Auba to Vardy and then Firmino to Jimi for GW29

  5. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So is Laporte back healthy now? - not looking to get him, but if he's going to play it should release
    Fernandinho into midfield, which in turn should allow KDB to move up the pitch a bit.

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Well Fernandinho was on the bench last night...possibly Pep is phasing him out.

      Laporte is just getting match fitness up now.

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Surely Fernandinho is still the first choice for that holding midfield role?

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Well he wasn’t last night.

          He’s been on the bench for two of the last three games.

  6. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    God damn. Gazzinaga has dropped twice now. Stop selling him please

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why do you still own him?

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        other priorites as I have Mccarthy too

    2. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      we'll always have that penalty save

  7. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best option?
    A) Martial
    B) Fernandes

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am liking the idea of B.

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I liked what I saw from Bruno so far.

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

  8. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hold Aguero this GW or sell?

    A) Hold
    B) Sell for Vardy
    C) Sell for DCL

    Also have Jimenez and Ings

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't sell for DCL. Siding more towards A/B.

    2. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Difficult decision. I am thinking of selling him for Jimenez.

      I would keep as you already have Jimmy + Ings. Depends how you would use extra cash.

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      In your situation I'd hold unless you need to funnel the cash elsewhere

    4. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sell for Vardy next week

    5. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm selling Aguero & DCL for Jimi & Ings.
      Maybe.
      I think.
      I'm also tempted by Auba.

    6. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking of holding this week and sell for Vardy next week.

  9. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Serious question now, thanks to DAZZ who made me really second-guess myself 😀 Which transfer combo do you think would work better?

    A) Auba + Holgate to Jimi + Robbo for free was my original plan
    B) Vardy + Holgate + Kelly to Jimenez + VVD + Hanley (-4)

    Ryan,
    TAA, Soy, Lundy, Holgate*, Kelly*
    Salah, KDB, Maddi, Traore, Cantwell
    Auba*, Vardy*, Ings

    Keep in mind Auba will have a DGW

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A.looks.good.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you mate

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Front 8 is nice . I d just get a Newcastle defender instead of holgate or Kelly.

      Otherwise a.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Are you not bothered over the lack of triple Pool?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Auba has really nice fixtures from 29 . Can you afford Gomez otherwise ?

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A looks nice

  10. Link
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What's the move here gang?

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA - Robbo - Stevens (Soy - Rico)
    Salah - KDB - Richarlison - Maddison - Grealish
    Vardy - Ings (Greenwood)

    A. Save
    B. Maddison > Traore
    C. Ryan > McArthy

    1. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If the only transfer options are B +C, then def save.

      1. Link
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Very much open to ideas... But Maddison feels like the biggest area of concern despite good fixtures coming. No form and really looks a goal threat to me

        1. Link
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          lol - I mean 'rarely' looks threat. You think he's worth keeping?

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Any money?

      1. Link
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        0.1!

  11. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Planning to save FT - g2g?

    McCarthy
    Dunk, Lascelles, TAA
    Grealish, Salah, KDB, Mane
    Ings, Jimenez, DCL

    (Pope, Sndograss, Lund, Soy)

    1. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, very nice.

  12. Dee Lixon
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What say you about this: Kun+Son to Mane+Vardy for -4? Think Mane might destroy WHU...

    Would give me:

    Henderson
    TAA, Stephens, Lund
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Grealish, Traore
    Ings, Vardy

    McCarthy, Lascelles, Deeny, Soy

    11 playing GW28.

  13. fakelund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? (Though tempted to do Kun > Jimenez if he comes through tonight okay...)

    Henderson
    Boly, TAA. Bertrand
    Traore, Salah (c), KDB, Saint-Maximin
    Ings, Firmino, Aguero

    (Dubravka, Egan, Mooy, Lascelles)

  14. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Kelly to Wolves defender for -4?

    As it stands I only have 9x players for next week and will need to take a hit anyway. Better to do it now?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  15. Indio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Auba, Redmond, Sidibe > Jimmy, Barnes, Boly (-4 over next two GWs) the best way to go with team below? Leaves me £4.3M for upgrades/DGW if one is confirmed. Thanks all.

    TAA, VVD, Lunds, Sidibe, Rico
    Salah, Grealish, KDB, Cantwell, Redmond
    Auba, Vardy, DCL
    1 FT; £0.6M ITB.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good moves

  16. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    My team is all set for next week!

    Mccarthy
    TAA Lascelles Srevens
    Mane Salah KDB Traore
    Ings DCL Jimenez

    Subs:Gaz, Maddison,Digne,Rico

    0.5 ITB

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      *Stevens of Sheff United

  17. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best Mahrez replacement ?
    Martial, Bruno or someone else ??

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone else

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martial

      If it was my team, I would keep him for this round a d get Maximin next week

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

      Bruno

    4. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would give him one week more. He may play against his former club

    5. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno from them but if I didn't have Martial I'd hold off united until I wildcard

  18. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Sidibe or Lundstram to Boly?

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lund.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram. We think he’s lost his place, and we know he won’t play in 28.

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

      Lund

  19. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Guys
    Who to bench out of this lot?
    Grealish, Mane, Salah, KdB, Traore
    Vardy, DCL, Ings
    A) DCL
    B) Vardy
    C) someone else
    Thanks in advance

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy

  20. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Have Kun, Martial & Holgate/Lundstram. Doing Kun to Jimi. What about the other spots this week?

    A. Keep Martial. Upgrade defender to Robbo/Vvd.
    B. Keep defender. Upgrade Martial to Mane.

    Will probably do the other 'upgrade' in 28/29 anyway.

    1. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A. I wouldn't sell Martial before Watford at home and double Pool defence is great rn

  21. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi - how nailed on is Armstrong for Southampton? A couple of goals lately, cheap, nice fixtures coming up and no Europa cup distractions compared to other teams

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's nailed I think

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        great asset at that price imo. he was injured when i was playing WC otherwise he was in contention for my squad

  22. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    This GW was:

    a) Worse than a IB
    b) As frustrating as IB
    c) I enjoyed it
    d) Please fpl, never again

    Cast your votes now.

    Thanks,

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      AD. No reason FPL can’t run it as two consecutive blank GW’s to spice things up

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I like the idea. 2 blanks. it will be spacey.

    2. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      b

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C.
      I mean I didn’t enjoy it from a points point of view. But it was nice to know my team was locked for two and a half weeks and I couldn’t do anything about it.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Man for me was the opposite couldn't thinker with my bus team for so long 🙁

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I’m very happy with my team for 27, so I was happy to just let it sit there.

          I’m happy watching championship football, and also the six nations from a fantasy team.

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      D

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Or

      e) thank heavens GW26 is done and dusted!

      Not much we can do as the winter break will be back next season?

  23. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? Enough cash for DCL > Vardy next week.

    Pope
    TAA VVD Stephens
    Salah (c) KDB Fernandes Cantwell
    Jimenez Ings DCL

    Button Lundstram Dendoncker Holgate

    1. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      G2g

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nice Fern move. Intriguing. Gtg

  24. A19
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi everyone,
    Do you think this front 8 is too much of a benching headache? I have money itb and already double Liverpool defence so can't reach to Mane. Would probably bench Traore most weeks or Grealish if poor fixtures. Thanks!

    Salah KdB B.Fernandes Grealish Traore
    Auba Jimi Ings

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      See the post from Lamela above. Do you want that bench headache every week?

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah it's definitely a problem. It's just that I have 4.3 itb and currently Hayden instead of Bruno. Don't want to lose Grealish, and Traore is hard to ship too with his fixtures. Might just roll the ft this week and reassess. Thanks!

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing worse than seeing one of your premium/semi-premium assets haul on the bench.. I never run a strong front 8 for this season.. I once had to stare at an Aaron Ramsey 21 pointer first on the bench, torture

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah that's the fear definitely! It's just that I have the money rn and quite tempted to have options to choose from. But money will probably be needed sooner than later so I might keep money itb and save the ft. Thanks!

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      looks good

    4. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Only makes sense to do this if you are BBing soon. I would bench Traore every week although I see why you are struggling this week.

    5. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, it is a headache, I'd probably first bench Traore most weeks, but if you can afford all that, well done you.

    6. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all! Might not bring Bruno this week and reassess next week

  25. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1ft 2.8itb
    Pope
    Stephens TAA Lundstram
    Grealish* KDB Salah traore Mane
    Vardy Ings(C)

    Ryan* Lascelles Rico connolly*

    a. Grealish and Connolly > 6.0 mid and Jimi -4 (second hit of the season)
    b. Save ft and do these moves in GW28 but won't have 2 fts for potential DGW 29

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B.

  26. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with Mahrez? Surely he is now due to start vs Lei

    A) Keep for this GW
    B) Get rid, you are a tool if you think you know what Pep is going to do

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am in the same boat - leaning to A, but as you have said there is the whole "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." aspect.

  27. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy
    Robbo TAA Egan
    **SON** Salah KDB Grealish
    Jiménez Ings Vardy

    Martin, Cantwell, Williams, Soy

    1FT 0.5ITB.

    Son needs to go... but very dull options everywhere. A bit stuck for choice.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yup, nothing stands out.
      Mahrez for a one week punt? (this might or might not be a joke)
      Pepe?
      OOP Tony or Rich
      Bruno if you are feeling more long term punty

  28. GW26 Rough with the Smooth
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    We've done it! GW26 is over.

    How did your GW go? Which of your players were benched? Did you get any injuries? How did your bench perform? Did your captain return?

    Tell us your tales of joy and woe from Gameweek 26, here:

    1. dicky2014
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough – Aurier and Stephens getting 1 point each while my other 2 defenders that I benched Lund and Soy got 7 points each. Salah (c) fail. Traore coming on for a point.

      Smooth – DCL goal and assist. Martial goal. KDB haul (but everyone had him) Another clean sheet for TAA.

      59 points and red arrow

    2. navyadav
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough - Salah Captain blanked .
      Smooth - KDB , Auba , Grealish, Martial , Ings and Egan
      Overall 68 pts and a small green arrow

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      64 all out, Salah cap fail, so I am chuffed with my score.

      Son injury was a pain as his hauls were benefiting my rank! He is such a deadly asset, one of the best differentials!

      My bench scored 6 points, no autosubs.

      Green arrows and 66k rank.

      Buzzing!

      1. FPL Notebook (John)
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Nice work! I'm gutted about Son too. He was so low owned and so dangerous! I'll happily take my 2 weeks of points from him though

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same as everyone else - despite owning KDB, OR getting worse with his every contribution last night.

      1. navyadav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I take owning KDB as a smooth despite not captaining him . Imagine the impact of not having him !!!!

    5. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: my transfer was Auba (8)+Kelly (DNP) to Kun (c) (2x2)+Stephens (1) for a hit. Net result - 16pts down by doing something including captain switch from Salah. Traore and Holgate cameos.

      Smooth: a return from Martial.
      50 (-4)

    6. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: Aguero (C)
      Smooth: Vardy (2), Maddison (2) > Son (13), Ings (7) for a -4. 69 points all out, a small green

    7. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Longest GW ever. 74 all out, moving into top 10k for first time this season, third green in a row.

      Smooth: Son & KDB bringing in hauls
      Rough: Son injury & Salah captaincy blank

    8. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Picture the scene. I am sat in the cafe by the cinema, about to go into a screening of Parasite. I am streaming stoppage time in the Spurs Villa game, in the hope of a late goal from Son, for FPL purposes. The screen opens, as as the ball forlornly goes out for a goal kick in the 93rd minute, I stop watching and get up to leave.

      Just before turning my phone off (as all good cinema goers do), I check in to confirm it's ended 2-2 - and lo and behold, Son himself scored approximately 20 seconds after I stopped watching having streamed 20 minutes on my phone to no avail.

      This is the classic high and low of fantasy football - I was very pleased but also missed the opportunity to see it live and celebrate in public. Fortunately, Parasite was good, making it a triumphant day for South Korea all round.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This was then followed by Son's injury and KDB as captain after the cancellation. Don't remember a week like it.

    9. Man Getting Hit By Football
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      68, and back into the top 100k which I'm really pleased about.

      Transfers paid off, 9 point swing - Mane (5) & Lundstrum (7) -> Son (13) & Gomez (8).

      Need to decide what to do with Son now.

      1. FPL Notebook (John)
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'd consider banking those points, and reversing the transfer to get Mane back and a Stephens/Fernandez type defender. I'm in a similar position with Son and can't see many options

    10. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Another smooth week for me! 83 points and 173K -> 95K.

      Calvert Lewin, Ings, Son, Grealish, KDB, Egan, TAA, Robbo.

      4 greens in a row 490K -> 95K. Finally reaching respectability

      1. FPL Notebook (John)
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Oh yeah, the transfer! Nice and simple agin Aurier -> Egan, so a 5 point swing

    11. Queens of the South Age
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough - benched Grealish and Boly

      Smooth - KDB(c) and transfer was Mahrez > Son

      Back to 15 points clear at top OR so a pretty good week.

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Love it mate. Keep doing what you're doing

      2. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Your nearest rival Kenneth Herlihy also had an interesting game-week.
        Smooth - 92 points.
        Rough - benched Grealish, Lundstram and Soyuncu, who scored 20 points between them.
        Hope you can keep ahead of him - your extra chip should be useful!

    12. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I won the Member's Cup so that's my smooth for the week. Double Pool defence and Son helped me along my way. I was expecting a much worse hand being dealt from the City game than I got. 75 all out

      1. FPL Notebook (John)
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Congrats Pep - nice work. You must be "so happy"

        1. Pep Pig
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Aye John cheers. Looks like your team is heading in the right direction for another strong finish

          1. FPL Notebook (John)
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers. Definitely in a better position now. At 1.7M in GW11 I wasn't feeling great!

            1. Pep Pig
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Patience paying off mate. I was 1.6m OR in GW16 and feeling so much better things now too

    13. Hungry Singh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough - Mahrez (C), Aguero blank

      Smooth - KDB (vc), Lundstram first sub. Cheeky 21 point swing!

    14. Donblaster
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Smooth: 2FTs > TAA (7) and Ings (7) for Soyuncu (7) and Vardy (2) for a net gain of 5pts. KDB and Martial

      Rough: only 51pts. Firmino, Salah (c) and Jimenez particularly disappointing.

    15. NOMONEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      earlier in the gameweek lundstram was 1st sub with 7pts on the bench and got the news that city game was cancelled, so was feeling quite good about it as lundstram will replace KDB and my rival both capped and vice-capped city players

      we all know how it ended up, 75 all out, i cant really complain, but i couldve gained a bigger advantage over my rival

    16. TiAgoFPL
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough , Salah captain , 56 PTS , red Arrow

    17. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Horrific.

      Traore benched, Maupay benched, Mane benched. All came on which blocked Soyuncu's 7 pointer. Salah captain. Transfer of Lundstram to Stevens for -4 resulted in -10 points.

    18. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: Son (c) missed pen & broken arm + Pep doing a Pep with Mahrez

      Smooth: Son (c), triple pool D & Lundstram saving the day as first sub

    19. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pretty rough really, 55 points and down to 512 OR. I really should get Ings!

    20. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Everything is rough !!!

      Lost FFS cup final.
      BB gave me 3 points.
      Son injured.

    21. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably my best game of the season.

      Ings, DCL, Grealish, Son, Williams, TAA and Robbo all in the points and DeBruyne captain. A poor result from Salah and Vardy, with Sais and Lund points on the bench. 93 all out and the first time in the top 6K. Can't complain.

      Looking to bench Son this week and bring in either Moura or Barnes next gw depending on what happens this gw.

    22. The Hobbit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Got rid of two players i was tired owning. Pepe and Lundstram to Stephens and Mahrez. That was rough.

    23. Philman
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It's the final of the FFS Cup, and both me and my opponent, Amey, play our Bench Boosts, to try and maximise our chances of winning. But it's going to be almost 2 weeks of torture.

      Amey transfers in Mariappa, who looks good for a CS until he inexplicably scores an OG.

      Onto Sunday of the 2nd weekend, the last day we have different players, and hence the deciding day. It's Auba + 6 vs Son + Lascelles for Amey. A draw gives the cup to Amey. Son scores a last minute goal. Auba has to outscore Lascelles by 8 points for me to win.

      With injury time of the Arsenal game being played we are level, but then Arsenal score twice, Lascelles goes from 1 to 0 points, and Auba just hangs on to his 2 bonus points. A dramatic a finish as you could imagine. I really felt for Amey, rotten luck to lose in such a way.

      So a long but ultimately smooth GW.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Fact that I can't sell that idiot Mariappa makes me sick 😀
        Son injury forcing me to do unwanted transfer. From this hopefully I'll learn to respect FT more !!
        Congratulations once again.

        1. Philman
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Personally, I think you did the right thing. Being in the final of the Cup is unique situation, and you had to maximise your chances of winning. My WC & BB plan was purely with the Cup in mind.

          Your FT to Mariappa was almost a masterstroke, considering your very limited budget choices. Then he scores a freak OG from nowhere.

    24. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: Pro Pundit Andy played his wildcard and transferred out KDB, scoring only 49 and dropping out of the top million for the first time this season.

    25. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Disaster.42(-4) points.Wilson+Grealish+Maddison->Ings+Alli+Gross.Martial's goal the only good thing.

    26. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Smooth. 89 points. Son, KDB(C). Kelly to Egan worked. Robbo and TAA double up. Salah blank helped my rank majorly.

    27. Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: All set to take my transfer Friday night, I went to the doctors in the afternoon where I was told to go straight to the hospital to be operated on. Phone packed in at the hospital.

      Smooth: Op went well and left hospital shortly after the FPL deadline. Lundstram who was for the chop, came off my bench and scored.

  29. Me Spurs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who is best son replacement?
    A: b.fernandes
    B: martial
    C: Richarlison
    D: Pepe

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would like to know too, but have no idea. What do you think?

    2. navyadav
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pepe if you can navigate GW28 ....
      could prove to be a great differential and seems to be in good form which is why you bought Son in the first place.

      Else I would pick Richarlison .

  30. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Benching headache. Pick one to start from this lot please. Cheers

    a) Lascelles
    b) Maddison
    c) Digne
    d) Rico

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Actually jut realised I have to field 3 defenders so have to pick one from the below. I'm starting TAA and Stevens
      a) Lascelles
      b) Digne
      c) Rico

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Probably Lasc, Palace not keen on scoring goals.