Scout Notes

Hasenhuttl to aid Ings’ quest for the Golden Boot as Watford’s FPL assets flop

Watford 1-3 Southampton

  • Goals: Jan Bednarek (£4.4m) own-goal | Danny Ings (£7.3m) x2, James Ward-Prowse (£5.7m)
  • Assists: Jose Holebas (£4.6m) | Will Smallbone (£4.5m), Che Adams (£5.3m)
  • Bonus: Ings x3, Ward-Prowse x2, Oriol Romeu (£4.3m) x1

Sunday’s match at Vicarage Road was our bi-weekly reminder that football, and Fantasy Premier League, rarely goes according to the script.

Mid-table Southampton, sitting 10 points clear of the drop zone heading into Gameweek 32+, were meant to be in ‘on the beach’ territory, and Watford, hovering precariously above the bottom three, were the ones supposed to be scrapping for their lives.

But the Saints were hungrier, sharper, quicker to the second ball and just generally better than their hosts in every department this weekend, inflicting a fully deserved defeat on Nigel Pearson’s side.

Watford might well tick the ‘something to play for’ box with regards to motivation but they have also won just one of their last ten league fixtures (improbably against Liverpool), a run that includes six meetings with teams currently ranked tenth or below.

The triple-header against Norwich City, Newcastle United and West Ham United in Gameweeks 34+ to 36+ still holds great appeal but owners of the Hornets’ Fantasy assets are now facing the eternal ‘form versus fixtures’ quandary, with Watford ranked a lowly 18th when clubs are filtered by their last ten matches.

Pearson’s troops didn’t even manage a single shot on target on Sunday, with their goal coming courtesy of Jan Bednarek (£4.4m); the Polish stopper turning a Jose Holebas (£4.6m) cross past his own goalkeeper late in the game.

Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m) perhaps looked the likeliest to make things happening, seeing a close-range shot blocked just after the interval and twice getting into his now customary promising positions on the byline, but even he was well below-par and his searing pre-lockdown form seems a distant memory.

Troy Deeney (£6.2m) appeared more interested in winning free-kicks than staying on his feet and hasn’t forced any goalkeeper into a save since the Premier League resumed, while the home side’s hoofball tactics played right into the hands of Bednarek and the galumphing Jannik Vestergaard (£4.5m).

The hosts were poor at the other end, too, guilty of backing off their opponents and, in the case of Southampton’s second strike, gift-wrapping goals.

Pearson said of his side’s display after the game:

We were second best for too long. You can’t concede goals like we have, give gifts to the opponents. It makes the job harder.

We have to go back to showing a cohesion as a group of people. At the moment it is frustrating, because we are not achieving the performances we know we are capable of.

Southampton have been difficult to fathom this season.

Ranked fifth when clubs are filtered by their away results (this was their eighth success on the road in 2019/20), the Saints are rock-bottom when we look at home fixtures.

Their Jekyll-and-Hyde displays, something Hasenhuttl bemoaned in midweek, is perfectly encapsulated by their form in 2020: played 12, won six, lost six.

Sunday’s match was the Saints at their best, with the visitors aggressive in the press, tidy on the ball and robust at the back.

Bednarek and Vestergaard were superb at centre-half, blocking everything on the ground and imperious in the air, and right-back Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.4m) built on a promising 45 minutes at Arsenal with another impressive showing here.

The ever-present James Ward-Prowse (£5.7m), who hasn’t missed a minute of league football this season, showcased his set-piece expertise with a brilliant 81st-minute free-kick, meanwhile.

Admittedly not much of threat from open play these days as one of Hasenhuttl’s ‘number sixes’, seven of the nine goals and assists he has registered this season have been from dead-ball situations.

Onto the main event, though, and someone who has mostly been a reliable pick even through Southampton’s rollercoaster year.

Danny Ings (£7.3m) was by far the most-owned Fantasy asset in this fixture and he rewarded his remaining owners by scoring his 17th and 18th Premier League goals of the season, registering his joint-highest FPL haul of 2019/20 in the process.

Having racked up 177 minutes in Saints’ first two post-restart fixtures, many had thought that Ings was a candidate for rotation on Sunday.

Indeed, Hasenhuttl freshened up his side by making five changes, with the in-form Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m) benched because of worries over fatigue – how many times have we heard the Southampton boss use this reasoning for managing Ings’ minutes?

But Ings did start and went on to move within one goal of Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) in the race for the Golden Boot, with his first strike against Watford in particular illustrating his clinical edge.

His second goal, which stemmed from a poor Ben Foster (£4.9m) throw out, was Ings at his predatory, off-the-ball best; this wasn’t the first instance in which we have seen him force or capitalise on a defensive error this season.

The icing on the cake for Ings’ owners came in Hasenhuttl’s post-match press conference, with the Southampton boss suggesting he would field his striker (although he didn’t explicitly say ‘start)’ in all six of his side’s remaining games to help him in the pursuit of individual glory:

I think anything is possible [with regards to the race for the Golden Boot].

We will play with him the last six games and then he will have six chances to score.

If he gets the chance you can see how fantastic his finishing is at the moment. He seems fitter than ever.

He was very hard working in the shutdown and that gives him now fantastic physical options.

While the next three games for Southampton are tricky (both Manchester clubs and Everton) and may slow investment, Saints’ run-in of Brighton, Bournemouth and Sheffield United will likely boost Ings’ ownership figures further should he be still within a shout of the Golden Boot, as seems likely.


Watford XI (4-2-3-1): Foster; Femenia (Pussetto 79′), Dawson, Cathcart, Masina (Holebas 73′); Hughes (Welbeck 73′), Capoue; Sarr, Doucoure, Pereyra (Pedro 73′); Deeney.

Southampton XI (4-4-2):  McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Smallbone (Armstrong 65′), Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Redmond; Long (Adams 75′), Ings.

Members Analysis

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

841 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Man City have great fixtures from GW33+. Surely rotation shouldn't stop you picking 2 or 3 City players if you have good players as subs to take over when they don't play?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rotation will happen. The money you spend on them could and should be elsewhere on those who will play. Their focus will be fa Cup and champs league.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Those who will play wills score less in 90 minutes then a playing City player scores in 30 minutes on most occasions. The FA Cup is not until after GW37 and the Champions league is several weeks away, don't think it will be a focus for the next 5 Gameweeks.

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

      Really... no

    3. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This is why I think Foden is such a good pick. Great attacking threat and cheap as chips; just have bench cover.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yep. Agree.

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm getting in Mahrez for that reason. Great fixtures and although nowt to play for, I think this will suit City as with the pressure off they might go bananas. If Marhez misses 1 or 2 games, no big deal, my bench is decent.

    5. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      With the 5 subs rule there's a good chance your City asset gets at least a cameo so you probably don't even need that strong a bench.

      KDB is going nowhere and I'm looking to add Mahrez, Foden or Jesus to the mix. Maybe two of them.

    6. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      With 5 subs it is more likely to be a 1 pointer than a no-show tho. I've got KdB and i might add Ederson for Pope in gw35. Loads of nailed midfielders to choose from which i rather have than a gamble on city midfielders.

  2. Ynwalfc
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What’s up with Pulisic? Wondering as I have Ings as my first sub

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Tight calf. Might be a wait and see.

  3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone fancy going big at the back? I've still got Egan and Lundstram and want to ditch both of them. Looking at Maguire/AWB, Alonso or maybe even VVD to pair alongside trent and Doc.

    With lots of clean sheets atm is back 4 or 5 looking good to you?

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

      Digne is on my radar...

    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mulling Alonso, nice differential.

    3. Chris_H
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I am thinking double Liverpool defence instead of Salah/Mane now... less worry about rotation maybe

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have TAA, Doherty and Alonso. Pretty big.

  4. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would like to hear people's thoughts on Alonso vs Azpilicueta. Anyone watched their games recently can provide some insights on the following questions?

    - Is Alonso now a nailed first choice, or can we expect rotation with Emerson over their next 4 favourable fixtures?
    - Have Chelsea been favouring a particular side for attack, which would favour either Alonso or Azpi?
    - Alonso's PPG pre-lockdown was ridiculous but he has 2 blanks since the restart despite 90mins in both games, is this a regression to the mean or has anything changed with Chelsea's system tactically? Considering that both assists in the first game came through Azpi

    Thanks all!

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I choose azpi upon the restart as in the end he seems the most nailed Chelsea player. I know Alonso was rested for their cup game which implies he'll feature well in the upcoming games. If I had to choose now, I might well choose Alonso, especially against West ham who'll sit back and defend. Azpi still has great numbers so I'll just hope he does well

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I brought him on WC last week and benched him against City. He is a rotation risk for sure but I'm confident he will start against Hammers after no minutes in the Cup. Against Villa Azpi did particularly well as Chelsea looked to be targeting Villa's left as being weak. I don't think this will be the case every game and if Alonso plays, I'd rather have him than Azpi. Azpi is the safer choice but Alonso bigger ceiling, just a bit of a punt on whether he is nailed or not but the signs are promising.

    3. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      - Alonso is first choice, Emerson played the FA-cup but didn't look confident on the ball.
      - It seemed they liked to attack down both flanks, with Willian/Azpi on the right and Alonso/Pulisic on the left.
      - I don't think Alonso changed, he still is bombing forward but hasn't got a decisive pass/shot yet. Azpi however looks like his best self and is making more overlapping runs than he did before, in the first game he even got an assist from a left winger position.

      It looks like Azpi might get some more assists, where Alonso could grab a goal himself. Both look pretty nailed so i think Azpi is the safer and cheaper option, Alonso the slightly more exciting one. I've got Alonso myself btw, hence why i watched some chelsea games recently

  5. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I have 2 FT's, does it make sense to do Son > Martial this week?

    Doing so enables me to do, DCL & Bruno > Jesus & Pulisic the following week. All for free.

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wait until the games have been played. I still don't fully trust Martial..

      1. YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I will wait, moves look reasonable though?

        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah I think so. Not sure about Jesus being better than DCL though, think he'll still be rotated a lot even with Aguero out.

      2. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah he is a bit of a troll... But he did look thirsty when coming on in the fa Cup...

      3. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

  6. Big Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mid-price mids are becoming a bit of a problem. There isn't much I like in that price bracket at the moment. Currently still own Grealish but he really needs to go - the problems is for who? Sarr & Barnes not on form. Bowen seems like a risk. Mount or Foden are potentials, Pulisic probably the best if you can stretch to him.

    Any other options?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Go for mid priced forwards instead. Then use the money in mid.

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, it's slim pickings. Mount seems the best option but isn't exactly exciting. The Foden punt is tempting me. Also considering Saint-Maximan or however you spell it depending on how Newcastle perform this week.

  7. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On a WC, who are the most important players to get in?

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimi, Rash, Salah, 1 of Bruno/Tony, TAA, Doherty are the template must-haves. Jesus, Foden, Alonso also becoming popular.

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Doherty is not essential. Agree with the rest.

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          What is essential anyway? Highly owned players? If so, he is.

  8. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any idea when Jimenez's wife is due?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Planing on sending some flowers?

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I didn't know she visited this website?

  9. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Morning all, not sure whether to take a hit or carry over one of my 2FT's..lots of options

    Ddg
    Taa Doherty Aurier
    Salah Kdb Sarr Bruno
    Dcl Rashford Jimmy

    A: Sarr >> Mount and carry FT
    B: Sarr + DCL >> Mahrez + Nketiah and rotate nketiah/holgate/kiko
    C: Salah + Sarr >> Son + Mahrez + 1m (or Sterling + Pulisic)
    D: Holgate + Sarr >> Alonso + Cantwell and play 433

    D is super tempting as Alonso is better value than other 6.5m mids ie Mount/Sarr.

    B creates a bit of an imbalance with 1 super cheap enable in the starting 11 every gw.

    C is the most logical but fear of salah is high ahead of gw33 (AVL)

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’d say D as well as not sure on Mount if you can’t stretch to Pulisic.

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      D as a mount owner I'm a little scared that he got hauled off at half time in their facup game. But still think he's Frankie's favourite

  10. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT 🙂

    Ederson - Button
    TAA - Maguire - Holgate - Lowton - Simpson
    Mane - Son - Martial - Mahrez - Richarlison
    Rashford - Ings - Connolly

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure about Ings next 3 games. Liking the Richarlison punt but would prefer Foden and upgrade Connolly.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would rather Pulisic if fit over Richarlison, get Doherty into defence and Nketiah over Connolly- No Jiménez brave !

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

      The bench isn't good enough imo

    4. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers all

  11. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best option for week 33+ ( assuming no injuries). No chips left- used BB for week 32+

    A Play team below
    B Barnes to Foden on free
    C Barnes to Mahrez and Jota to Nketiah-4

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Maguire
    Salah KDB Bruno Martial Barnes*
    Jiménez DCL

    Martinez Jota Aurier Fernández

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I like B. Foden is obviously a risk but you have decent cover and Leicester seem out of sorts.

  12. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Playing 352 as it is.

    I like Foden in my starting 11...

    If mid 5 are :
    Martial Bruno KDB Foden Mount

    Have 8.4 ITB.

    Should Richarlison/Pulisic replace Mount? Alternatively could play Mount and save the transfer, then raise some cash from my bench and get... someone else... Don't know who that would be though...

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think Pulisic is a much better option than Mount. How do you have 8.4m to spend though?!

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Sorry, yeah. 8.4 if drop Mount

    2. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This made no sense, sorry. Let me try again

  13. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Another post about having 2ft and no idea what to do, sorry.

    Pope
    Fernandez, Doherty, TAA,
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, KDB
    Jimenez, DCL, Rashford

    Martin, Kiko, Ward, Guendouzi

    Nothing in the bank.

    Could downgrade DCL and upgrade defence or Guendouzi. Not sure I want to lose DCL though.. Any ideas? Will obviously wait for more games to take place.

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What for the Liverpool game. If Salah and kdb get full minutes, switch to other players who played less

  14. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope
    TAA, Aurier, Lascelles, Boly
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes
    Auba, Jiminez, Ings
    Stevens, Barnes, Luiz

    2FT

    A) Auba to Rash and Barnes to Pulisic(if fit)
    B) Auba to Rash and save. Get Mahrez by downgrading Stevens next GW

    Might have to save other FT anyway if Pulisic not fit

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      0.3 ITB

  15. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What is the differential player list looking like?

  16. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Looking for some advice. Any thoughts on what are the best GWs to play TC chip......currently looking at GW 33 on Salah v Villa but LFC have now won the title..........however this will be the first game back at Anfield as champions ??? Suggest any other week other than the last GW

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

      How about a Man Utd attacker vs Bournemouth or Villa (33 or 34)

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      KDB v Bournemouth week 36 maybe?

    3. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah vs Burnley in GW35

  17. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Start

    Justin (Palace H)
    Lascelles ( West Ham H)

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Really close call mate, toss a coin??? Haha

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

      I'd really want to start both - anyone else benchable in your team?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Foden is the only other player i would half consider benching

        Hmm on Justin at the moment

  18. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    TAA is my only Pool player and I can't afford Salah or Mane without ripping apart my team. I was instead thinking of doubling up on the defenders - there's quite a bit of upside there but at the same time it feels like forcing myself to have double Pool. Thoughts?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have did the exact same thing

      I think it’s viable as they might not get rotated as much

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

      I wouldn't be rushing to bring in pool players, just keep the ones you have.

      Don't see any need to double up their defence when there are so many other options available to you.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I went for TAA + VvD with WC. TAA is "essential" and VvD should be "most nailed". VvD has goals in him and might have scored already one or two. I think they both offer a lot of value for money in that price bracket (compared do mids and fwd:s) now. I also don't expect them both to be rested same time.

  19. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Barnes + Mount > Foden + Richarlison (for a -4)
    B) Barnes + Mount > Foden + Pulisic (for a -4)
    C) Barnes > Foden (free), then next week upgrade Mount

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

      C, no issue with keeping Mount another week but Barnes has to go Leicester have been anemic going forward.

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers. I think you're right. What do you think of Foden pick in the starting 11? He seems almost too good to be true, which seems to be the way it goes in FPL

  20. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How do the best players consistently finish with high rankings year in, year out when the most significant requirement to achieve this is to get the captain pick right.?

    They seem to manage this better than most and I just don't know their secret. What is that magic algorithm? Or is a matter of making up points from good picks from the rest of the team when a poor captain choice is made?

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I know what you mean. In my ML ito seems like the leader is always the one with good captain picks. And yet, they're only in the mix if their teams are consistently decent. So I guess: Good teams make you alright. Good captain picks too make you one of the best.

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think the most significant requirement is to get the captain pick right, in fact I don't think last year's winner did significantly well in captain points.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This^

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What did they do right?

    3. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Patience is also a big factor. Some people will sell players if they don’t score one week even for a -4 and it soon backfires.

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      They are very focused and does a lot of research that plays a part. Then as you point out chance are that you constantly picking a good overall team. Difference between a good/average or bad season follows captain choice and to an extent result of being either high or low is that you might do better choices when high in ranks and more poor if you chase. They tend to have well worked out strategies to their game which they try to follow.

    5. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Suggest watching Mark Sutherns’ + Lateriser12’s Meet the Manager videos.

      1. Pinturicchio10
          3 years, 9 months ago

          And then theres the cagey managers who perform remarkably also. It's just like anything else, those who consistently make the wiser and better decisions will do better. Many ways to do that.

      2. Pinturicchio10
          3 years, 9 months ago

          The most consistent managers aren't all playing the same style. Some are seriously cagey while others are really aggressive. Theres no secret, they're just better in their own way.

          1. The Polymath
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            But there still seems something they have, that some of us don't. The FPL equivalent of a being born with a special power where they can sense when a player is about to haul.

            Then again I've been playing 5 years and still don't have a strategy apart from build up value in the early weeks and attacking with chips during the DGW and Blank Gameweeks and going with Captain's poll on here.

            1. Pinturicchio10
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Theres no magic pill. Being good at captain picks for example wont get you 1k finishes every year. Their whole strategic outlook is calculated, planned, and enforced consistently. They are just better than the rest.

                1. Pinturicchio10
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    But the have their way. It's not often we see these managers on the forum for 4hrs chatting away. They know what they are doing, when they are doing it.

            2. BobbyDoesNotLook
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              I am not top 10 but last year in top 1k and now around 3k and I think for these two seasons patience and avoiding hits has been one of my key instruments. This year there was some red cards etc happening so I guess I have had -4 and last year nothing. With patience you need less hits but of course you need to be willing to let go of let's say C Wilson when he has not done anything in 5+ games. Nothing special, just thinking twice before jumping to the train. Cannot comment on the captain thing, 50-50 with captain polls and gut feeling and in the long run it ends up with pretty much the avg of top10k players.

              1. The Polymath
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                The problem I have is that I fall so far behind in the early weeks, I have to start taking hits or fall even further back. Even the best managers find it difficult coming back from a poor start, or am I wrong?

                1. Pinturicchio10
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    So youre spewing early and having to recover. There's your biggest issue right there. Improve preseason planning and early stage discipline. If things go bad screw hits, wildcard and rectify problems players.

                  • Pinturicchio10
                      3 years, 9 months ago

                      From experience (about 10 years or so despite only 3 seasons on active profile and new around here) going punt heavy with your initial squad is, for the most part, a catastrophe waiting to happen.

                2. fish&chips
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  Go through the world no. 1s gameweeks and you'll be surprised how many captain fails he has. It is not all about picking the right captain, but of course that helps

                  1. The Polymath
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    It looks like all the good managers manage to have high ranks after the first few weeks and don't look back. Maybe that's the secret?

                    1. Pinturicchio10
                        3 years, 9 months ago

                        It doesn't work that way over a fantasy career. Theres been overall winners who were in the millions OR after early stages.

                        1. FPL Theorist
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          True, but it does help. FPL General noted that about Carlsen too. Carlsen was just outside the top 1K after 4 weeks, and he didn't even own Pukki who was tearing it up at that time. It looks like his main masterstrokes at this point were:
                          1. Owning KDB from the start (along with Sterling, rather than instead of Sterling)
                          2. Either starting Lundstram, or at least having him first sub where he would come on, back when many people had Lundstram third sub and were leaving his hauls on their bench.

                  2. RichardNixon
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    They're better at maths than most imo ie numerical reasoning

                  3. FPL Theorist
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    I think it is mostly a matter of not getting caught up in what the crowd is doing, and making the best pick regardless of whether it's the popular pick. People say not to chase last week's points, but then when it comes to captaincy, not that many managers actually do this. Instead, it becomes regarded as "maverick", for example, to stick with Salah when the winner of the FFS captain poll is someone who scored highly last week, but is not actually a great choice. The "safe" choice is regarded as who everyone else is captaining. Which actually suits many people just fine as regards winning MLs that contain no really great managers, but is not optimal for competing with the best players.

                    FPL General did a pod talking about Magnus Carlsen's season that you might want to look at. The two main takeaways for me regarding captaincy were: 1) Captain Salah often; and 2) When Liverpool have a great fixture run, own both Salah and Mane and vice-captain Mane because he scores well when Salah misses out with injury.

                  4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    It’s actually quite difficult to find a manager with a “consistently high ranking year in year out”

                    Or maybe it depends on the definition of Consistency? Jay egdersdorf had a slip up last season for example, if Mark doesn’t get a top 10k next year that would be his 4th season out of 6 (and 5th out of 8) outside the top 10k.... Lateriser has a couple of 2 million+ finishes... Magnus Carlson has a 3m+

                    And make no mistake, these guys are absolute Gods of FPL - If there was an FPL Mount Olympus they would be sitting up right there with Odin, Thor, Zeus, Keaton & the rest of them

                    But as you can see - they have their bad finishes too - so it’s very important not to be realistic & objective, not to deal in absolutes that don’t actually exist, and not to beat yourself up by comparing yourself to some fictional benchmark who finishes in the top 1k every year - I don’t think there are very many of those cases

                    Basically everyone is subject to poor finishes somewhere along the line, no matter how good their good finishes are 🙂

                    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                      • 14 Years
                      3 years, 9 months ago

                      *Kratos lol not Keaton

                      I know batman & Beetlejuice were good, but not THAT good 🙂

                      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        3 years, 9 months ago

                        In fairness, Carlsson's 3m+ isn't actually real so scratch that 🙂

                        But he has spent 3 of the last 4 seasons outside the top 10k, so point still stands

                    2. The Polymath
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 9 months ago

                      Thanks for those wise words Maximus.

                      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        3 years, 9 months ago

                        My 10 cents for what its worth - I think the less weighting you give to the current GW, and the more you give to future GWs (without going waaaaaay long term) the better

                        It's difficult - but if you can detatch yourself from "who's essential this week" you can avoid so many landmines - howmany times have you deviated from a plan to accomodate a Sterling or an Auba/Kane with a stand out fixture, only for them to get hit by the curse of the single GW...

                        If they're in your longterm plans then by all means indulge, but being able to recognise when you're making a transfer out of fear (either your own fear, or someon else's) rather than hope can help a lot over the long term - even if its just helping with being comfortable that your team is YOUR team, and not someone else's, and therefore any results, good, bad, or indifferent are YOUR results, and not someone else's - help a lot with taking the bad beats on the chin

                      2. FPL Theorist
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 9 months ago

                        Worth noting too, if Mark does manage to salvage this season from his current position, it will be largely down to him keeping his WC until after the break and playing it brilliantly (if that's how it turns out).

                        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                          • 14 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          If anyone's capable of that it's probably Mark - his record speaks for itself

                    3. Jarnathan
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 9 months ago

                      the OP is seeing 'survivorship bias'

                  5. Jarnathan
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    I think you're seeing survivorship bias

                3. Von Lipwig
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  What do we think of Foden pick in the starting 11? He seems almost too good to be true, which seems to be the way it goes in FPL

                  1. Champions League Varane
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    I think he will start alot of the last few games which is why I got him

                  2. Pinturicchio10
                      3 years, 9 months ago

                      Good as a 5th mid you can swap in and out. Wont start every game obviously.

                    • Baps hunter
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 9 months ago

                      He is my "5th" mid which is causing me benching headache. Yet it is perhaps a possibility that he might start each other and rotate with Mahrez. That could be massive upside. This is going to be difficult to predict though.

                  3. Fuddled FC
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    a) Aub & Jota & Sarr > Rash & Jimi & Mount (-4)
                    b) Aub & Sarr > Rash & Martial
                    c) Aub & Sarr > Jimi & Bruno

                  4. No Kane No Gain
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    Do we think salah starts V Villa?! After the city game it will only be 2 90 min games he’s played so surely he might be rested/rotated later on?!

                    1. Pinturicchio10
                        3 years, 9 months ago

                        All we can do is assess after Villa game.

                        1. Pinturicchio10
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            Damn...
                            *City game

                            1. Baps hunter
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 6 Years
                              3 years, 9 months ago

                              Very difficult to see him get less than 90 minutes, but if (and when) he wants the Boot, it would make sense since it's easier to score vs Villa. On the other hand, if the game is tight is Klopp ready to take him off vs Pep?

                              1. Pinturicchio10
                                  3 years, 9 months ago

                                  Probably gets 90 minutes vs City yeah. Pure guess work after that. Have to take this run-in week by week and constantly reassess after every game. It's all we can do

                          • lilmessipran
                            • 11 Years
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            Don't think Klopp benches Salah and Mane more than once with the fixtures left imo..he knows how important it is for players like Salah especially to try and win the golden boot

                            1. Baps hunter
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 6 Years
                              3 years, 9 months ago

                              Yes, but Mané wants it also and is "only" two behind. Will they even pass to each other 😉

                          • Andy_Social
                            • 11 Years
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            I think Klopp will be taking an extended look at his back-up players, particularly as Salah will go missing in the winter with the African Nations cup. I can see him and Mane coming off on 59 mins when they start.

                        2. Champions League Varane
                          • 5 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          GTG?

                          Allison
                          Trent Doherty Justin
                          KDB (C) Martial Bruno Foden Son
                          Rashy Jimenez

                          McCarthy,Lascelles,DCL,Lund

                        3. I Member
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          Such a weird GW so far. Only two of my players have played and I don't have any today.

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

                            Same, just Pope tonight for me.

                          2. Baps hunter
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 6 Years
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            Same here. And just the fear of Pope haul.

                          3. Andy_Social
                            • 11 Years
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            I started with 24 points from my Wolves players. Then my rivals with Ings caught me up yesterday. Now Pope owners will probably do nicely while i sit on my hands.

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

                          Would you pick Foden over Mount or Azpi?

                          1. Andy_Social
                            • 11 Years
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            Versus Liverpool? No.

                            1. Strchld
                              • 7 Years
                              3 years, 9 months ago

                              No, after that

                              1. Andy_Social
                                • 11 Years
                                3 years, 9 months ago

                                Ah, yes I would.

                        5. FOO FIGHTER
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          Hopefully Pulisic is fit to play.

                          I have Nketiah and Connoly to autosub. Think I will go Connolly vs NOR as 1st sub as Wolves defence most likely will shut out Arsenal attack.

                        6. The Polymath
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          A/ Mahrez, Foden and DCL (Will have to drop Son and Saka)

                          B/ Martial, Son and Nketiah (Will have to drop one of DDG, Rashford, Fernandes)

                          Which way to go GW33+ and onwards?

                          1. Netley Lucas
                            • 8 Years
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            B, shift Dave on. Son can become Mahrez as and when.

                        7. grennans2
                          • 3 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          Good idea to do the below transfers? 2FT.

                          Martinez & DCL > Premium GK (either Alisson or Ederson - which one?) & Nkietah?

                          I'm just wary of Arsenal's fixtures turning very poor over the next while and a CS is going to be hard to come by

                          1. Netley Lucas
                            • 8 Years
                            3 years, 9 months ago

                            Save points + money invested elsewhere is =/or better than the chance of 6pts.

                        8. Fred54
                          • 9 Years
                          3 years, 9 months ago

                          Just realised Fernandinho is suspended for the Liverpool game, which means Ota will probably start.

                          Should I transfer in Salah or Mane?

                          1. Pinturicchio10
                              3 years, 9 months ago

                              Makes sense to have one of them.

                            • The Ejiptian King
                              • 5 Years
                              3 years, 9 months ago

                              Bit late.

                              1. Andy_Social
                                • 11 Years
                                3 years, 9 months ago

                                There's that. Plus whilst I can see Liverpool going all-out to beat City, after that game I think Klopp will rotate and rest players extensively, while beach balls will be introduced. In short, I wouldn't get either now.

                                1. Pieterke30
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 7 Years
                                  3 years, 9 months ago

                                  Agreed. Id bet on Salah or Mané starting like 4 or 5 of the remaining 7 games. And if there is doubt, will we dare to captain them?

                                  And if we dont, makes less sense to invest so much money in a player.

                                  Golden booth, blabla, I know. But Klopp wont want to take any risks, he wont want them to get an injury - this season is won, onto the next!

                            • Baps hunter
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 6 Years
                              3 years, 9 months ago

                              If Salah's minutes are managed, I will certainly get him. Yet, if he plays 90, I'll have a big headache 🙁