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Eliteserien Runde 10 – In my defence

One of the biggest ways Eliteserien (ESF) differs from Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is in defence. Clean sheets are far more synonymous with FPL than ESF which leads most of us to choose our defenders based on their attacking potential (AP) rather than clean sheet potential (CSP). Whether you’re playing ESF, FPL or any other Fantasy Football game, maximising your points return should always be at the forefront of your mind, it’s the methodology that usually differs.

After 9 gameweeks we’ve seen 35 clean sheets. That’s more than 0.5 per game, or 4.1 per gameweek. In the Premier League however, we see the numbers increase to 0.6 clean sheets per game, or 5.5 per gameweek. In regards to Fantasy Football CSP, your odds of benefitting from a clean sheet are far less favourable in ESF than FPL.

This is in part due to there only being 8 games/week rather than 10, but it’s also due to the fact there’s just less clean sheets kept in general.

And this is where the biggest challenge lies – in my opinion – in building a solid ESF team. Who do you go for in defence? While CSP is somewhat diminished in ESF if you’re used to playing FPL, it doesn’t mean that clean sheets never happen, or that you should completely ignore any team/defender likely to benefit from them. It should definitely be a part of your decision making, but more importantly you should be looking at AP. (The same logic applies in FPL as you want to maximise your points potential, but it’s probably more important to favour AP over CSP when playing ESF than FPL).

Who occupies a place inside the Modric-Bohinen void? Who is well and truly in a league of their own? To find out we’ll be focusing on the following 10 defenders:

1. Andreas Hanche-Olsen (47pts)

2. Ivan Nasberg (42pts)

3. Vegar Eggen Hedenstad (39pts)

4. Tore Reginiussen (37pts)

5. Gustav Valsvik (37pts)

6. Vetle Winger Dragsnes (37pts)

7. John Kitolano (36pts)

8. Mats Solheim (35pts)

9. Christian Borchgrevink (35pts)

10. Markus Nakkim (34pts)

And the following categories:

1. Goals/Clean Sheets

2. Assists (Total)

3. Shots/Shots on Target

4. Passes/Accurate Passes/Passing Accuracy %

5. Accurate Opposition Half Passes/Final Third

6. Key Passes and Big Chances Created

7. Accurate Crosses

8. Interceptions/Tackles

Regardless of position, the bottom line in Fantasy Football – whether you’re playing in Sweden, Germany or Romania – is to score points. And it just so happens in ESF, just like in FPL, the majority of points will come from goal involvement. That is why I am looking at the same categories as when we analysed our top-scoring midfielders. Knowing who is most involved with attacking play, most likely to score and playing the important passes is going to be critical in our decision-making process if we are to maximise our potential points return. I have also included accurate crosses as we will more than likely be most interested in attacking fullbacks/wingbacks (plus OOP defenders playing in midfield) as well as clean sheets – for obvious reasons – and interceptions/tackles for BFP reasons.

1) Goals/Clean Sheets

Only 17 defenders have scored in the first nine gameweeks. From our list of 10 top-scoring defenders, only four are yet to score. Hanche-Olsen and Dragsnes both have two goals whereas Valsvik, Kitolano, Nasberg and Nakkim all have one. Hedenstad, Reginiussen, Borchgrevink and Solheim are on none. This isn’t really a metric I’d say is fool-proof when looking to assess the inherent worth/value of a Fantasy defender, but it gives an insight into the different kinds of impact these players can have for their teams.

For example, Hanche-Olsen and Dragsnes have both scored twice in nine games. Hanche-Olsen is the highest-scoring defender in the game, but Dragsnes is 6th, showing that goal-scoring ability is not the most important aspect of a Fantasy defender’s game.

Goal scoring potential (GSP) is certainly something to consider when choosing any player, while clean sheet potential (CSP) is one of the most imperative aspects of a defender’s appeal. As previously stated, clean sheets are rarer in ESF and we shouldn’t look at defenders in Norwegian football the same way we do in the Premier League. That being said, if there are clean sheets up for grabs, we’d be foolish to ignore them.

18 defenders have 3 clean sheets or more, with seven of those being our guys who all make the top ten. Kitolano and Hanche-Olsen both have three, but Borchgrevink, Hedenstad, Reginiussen and Valsvik all have four. Similarly to Hedenstad being the third highest-scoring defender in the game despite not having scored, Christian Borchgrevink is the 9th highest scoring defender in the game even though he has four clean sheets (joint top). At this point, it’s worth highlighting the fact that only 12 points separate Hanche-Olsen (1st) and Borchgrevink (9th). Nasberg has more clean sheets than anyone else (5) due to being substituted while Valerenga led Viking 2-0, even though the game ended 2-1.

Even though they seem hard to come by, clean sheets will certainly be more frequently earned by defenders than goals. For Fantasy purposes CSP definitely outranks GSP, but perhaps a combination of both is the best way forward. I would rather go for a defender who may not get as many clean sheets as others but is at least somewhat likely to score goals as I am not relying solely on one route to earn points. Football is hard to predict at the best of times therefore I want my eggs in as many baskets as possible.

Goals and clean sheets aren’t the only way to points though, as the bonus points system in ESF tends to reward ‘hard work’ and ‘getting stuck in’ far more than FPL. Also, contributing to build-up play and indirect goal involvement/prevention is another area where defenders can be rewarded through BFP.

Joachim Thomassen, Mikkel Desler and Birk Risa all have three clean sheets. Over the course of this article, don’t be surprised to see their names crop up in other areas of analysis. These guys (although yet to score) are all heavily involved in attacking play, as well as being contributing factors to their defences keeping clean sheets.

(Goals/Clean Sheets: Hanche-Olsen 2:3, Nasberg 1:5, Hedenstad 0:4, Reginiussen 0:4, Valsvik 1:4, Dragsnes 2:2, Kitolano 1:3, Solheim 0:3, Borchgrevink 0:4, Nakkim 1:2).

2) Assists

Having a defender in your team who is capable of grabbing the odd assist here and there can be the difference between a green and a red arrow most weeks. In FPL we think of Trent Alexander-Arnold as being pretty much essential as his attacking potential (AP) is so high due to the number of assists he constantly churns out week after week. He’s one of the most important players in one of the best defences in the world, but he actually has more assists than clean sheets (15-14). (He’s got as many Fantasy points as Jamie Vardy).

In Norway, we have Alexander Stolas. Does Alexander mean ‘happy to help’ in Fantasy Football language or something? In 2018 he scored four goals and got eight assists, while last season he ended with three goals and five assists. His minutes this season have been sporadic thus far due to injury, but he’s one of those players most managers in-the-know will have on their radar as his AP is quite frankly bonkers when fully fit.

For real-world assists, four of our ten make the cut, with Hedenstad, Kitolano and Solheim all on two and Borchgrevink on one. When Fantasy assists are also taken into consideration, we afford ourselves a more well-rounded understanding of where our points are going to come from. As an assist can be a blocked shot, winning a penalty which is then converted or something as simple as a deflected cross, it’s really important we don’t only consider those defenders who are only effective in real-world football – we need both halves of this specific equation to get the right answer.

Solheim and Nakkim are the only players from our ten who benefit from being given a Fantasy assist, taking their respective totals up to 3 and 1. Desler sneaks into the top ten for total assists (1 real, 1 Fantasy), with Christofer Aasbak and Martin Bjornbak also going from 1 to 2. Fredrik Bjorkan is the only defender to have 3 real-world assists, making an early claim for best attacking full-back in the league.

Only 11 defenders have two or more assists at this stage, making them more a luxury occurrence rather than something to be expected. We shouldn’t forget that half of our top ten don’t have an assist at all. At this point it’s becoming clearer and clearer to me that our defenders are versatile players, offering different routes to scoring points. It seems pretty foolish to go after one or two defenders solely because they’ve scored more or set up more goals than their peers. It’s not like we’re comparing Kasper Junker with Benjamin Kallman for goals scored – we’re dealing with much smaller margins and that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Vidar Ari Jonsson is a great example of how a defender rewarded solely for his attacking exploits is not necessarily a great Fantasy option. He’s got two assists (only two defenders have more) yet he only has 12pts from 660 minutes. He’s missed just one game (ironically a 1-0 win) and both his assists came in the same match. He has no clean sheets, no goals and no BFP. But judging him with only assists in mind, he seems a good choice. Fantasy football is full of traps and AP for defenders certainly creates obstacles for us to navigate our way around.

(Assists: Hanche-Olsen 0, Nasberg 0, Hedenstad 2, Reginiussen 0, Valsvik 0, Dragsnes 0, Kitolano 2, Solheim 3, Borchgrevink 1, Nakkim 1).

3) Shots/Shots on Target

Last season Mjondalen were the go-to team for defenders likely to grab a goal/assist and when it comes to ‘having a go’ they’re streets ahead of their rivals once again. Sondre Solholm Johansen has had 16 shots (1.78 a game) but only 4 (25%) have been on target. Nakkim is second for total shots (10) and top for shots on target (6). He’s scored just once. His involvement in attacking play is certainly encouraging, his conversion rate somewhat far less appealing. The only other player to make the top ten for shots and shots on target is Hanche-Olsen (5/4). If you were confused as to why 42.3% of managers own this guy – don’t be. He’s the highest scoring defender in the game for a reason. For multiple reasons, in fact. I was toying with the idea of shipping him out of my team for a cheaper alternative – then I started to write this article and have since thought otherwise. He’s ticking all the right boxes.

Sarpsborg’s Thomassen is in our sights yet again with 5 shots (3 on target) as are Odd duo Ruud and Risa (2 shots on target from 7 and 4 respectively). Bjorkan sits just behind Ruud on 6 shots (2 on target). The majority of our list fail to impress in this area. When we look at shots per 90 mins, Nakkim stands out with 1.11. That’s almost twice as good as Hanche-Olsen (0.56) and far better than teammate Dragsnes (0.44). Borchgrevink has a respectable 0.45 but everyone else is quite far behind.

Ari Jonsson has had the same amount of shots as Hanche-Olsen (5) but has found it much harder to hit the target (only one of his shots being on target) highlighting once again, we want quality over quantity. Wasting chances is not something we’re interested in – we want clear cut attempts on goal, say a header from a set-piece, rather than blazing over from 25 yards. Let’s not forget this is a guide which we can hopefully use to point us in the direction of points, rather than being completely exhaustive.

There’s not too much correlation here which makes me value this part of our analysis far less than other areas. I don’t think we should worry too much about how many shots our defenders are taking as it’s never going to be a particularly high number anyway, and when they are shooting, it’s probably going to be from set-pieces or picking up a loose ball etc… As the season moves on we may come to a different conclusion, but for now, this isn’t something I’m bothering myself with – the points lie elsewhere.

(Shots/Shots on Target: Hanche-Olsen 5/4, Nasberg 1/1, Hedenstad 1/1, Reginiussen 1/0, Valsvik 2/1, Dragsnes 4/3, Kitolano 1/1, Solheim 1/0, Borchgrevink 4/1, Nakkim 10/6).

4) Passes/Accurate Passes/Passing Accuracy %

This is where correlation takes a nosedive. Our top-scorers are not the passing kind. It’s one of those attributes you would sooner associate with ball-playing centre-backs rather than attacking full-backs deployed in a very direct system. The main take-away from this is that Nasberg is quite heavily involved in Valerenga’s passing game. The centre-back is responsible for 13.5% of Valerenga’s total passes (542) and only Bodo/Glimt’s Marius Lode (729 – 99.3 passes/game) and Odd’s mythically-named Odin Bjortuft (588) have more. Nasberg also sits in 3rd place for accurate passes played (474 – 87.5%) behind the same two players.

Bodo/Glimt trio Bjorkan (477/427), Marius Hoibraten (478/429) and Alfons Sampsted (495/428) all make the top ten for both categories while Molde’s Bjornbak (480/418) also features. Last week when we delved into the numbers behind Zinckernagel, Hauge, Saltnes and Berg, it became quite clear this team is all about passing and judging by this analysis, that methodology is not unique to their midfield.

Espen Ruud catches the eye (479/375) along with Desler (470/417) and Risa (412/325). Only two of our top ten have a passing accuracy of less than 72%, and only one has played less than 200 passes. When looking at passes played and Fantasy points, there’s not much to suggest that one particularly influences the other. For all his passes, Lode has only won 3 BFP (all from one game) and Hoibraten and Sampsted both have none. It’s always good if our defenders are knocking the ball around, but we’re not interested in centre-backs who play sideward passes every time they get the ball.

(Passes/Accurate Passes/Passing Accuracy %: Hanche-Olsen 411/342/83.2%, Nasberg 542/474/87.5%, Hedenstad 542/288/79.8%, Reginiussen 415/346/83.4%, Valsvik 387/293/75.7%, Dragsnes 216/144/66.7%, Kitolano 264/214/81.1%, Solheim 313/217/69.3%, Borchgrevink 439/369/84.1%, Nakkim 387/282/72.9%).

5) Accurate Opposition Half Passes/Final Third Passes

With 173 accurate passes in the opposition half (47.9%) and 98 accurate in the final third (27.1%), Rosenborg’s Hedenstad is by far the most efficient, attacking defender in our top ten. Almost half of his total passes have been in the opposition half, with over a quarter in the final third – a feat none of our other defenders come close to replicating. Being on set-piece duty certainly helps, but it also shows how his mentality affects his style of play.

Comparing our top ten to the actual top ten for this category yields very little correlation – none of our featured defenders are in the top ten performers. Hedenstad just behind Adekugbe, granted, but overall there is no real link between this statistic and Fantasy points. Ruud and Desler are 4th and 5th respectively, with Lode and Bjorkan the top two for both categories. This Glimt team are enforcing their style of play on the rest of the league whether everyone is OK with it or not. And it’s starting at the back. For me at least, I’m happy to disregard any Bodo/Glimt player in any analysis going forward because they are quite simply toying with whoever they play.

Thomassen (103), Ruud (98), Hedenstad (98) and Desler (95) are all heavily active for their teams in the final third, amassing a total of 7 assists between them. (Thomassen also has 166 accurate passes in opposition half). It’s certainly not a ground-breaking return, but it’s an indication of their intent and gives us good reason to think more attack returns will inevitably follow. Bjorkan has the most assists of any defender in the game and he currently is second for passes in opposition half (251) and first for passes in the final third (129). Over the course of the season, it would seem reasonable to expect players such as Bjorkan, Ruud, Desler, Hedenstad and Thomassen to develop into the players who end up with the most assists.

Hedenstad aside, no-one really stands out here other than Christian Borchgrevink. He’s played 146 passes in the opposition half and 77 in the final third. Both he and Hedenstad are the only players that have made any notable contribution for their teams in this aspect of the game and for me that’s quite definitive. Hedenstad is in my team but due to his injury concern he will be shipped. And right now Borchgrevink is who I am contemplating bringing in. In a lot of these categories we’ve looked at, his name is either somewhere in the top ten or a few places behind. Well-rounded, consistent players seem to be the type to bring home the bacon. Defenders especially.

Risa (156/81) and Anton Kralj (129/76) get special mentions along with Bjortuft (171/50) and Sormo (111/71). Kralj would only be seen as a valid Fantasy asset if he was in a better team. No matter how many runs or passes or attacking plays he might initiate, the players around him simply aren’t good enough to seize those chances. Come season end I think it will be a case of ‘what could have been’ and a probably move to a bigger club. He certainly looks to be streets ahead of his teammates and too good a player for a newly-promoted club.

(Accurate Opposition Half Passes/Final Third Passes: Hanche-Olsen 125/40, Nasberg 135/39, Hedenstad 173/98, Reginiussen 137/43, Valsvik 103/29, Dragsnes 84/49, Kitolano 100/55, Solheim 108/49, Borchgrevink 146/77, Nakkim 104/63).

6) Key Passes/Big Chances Created

Only Hedenstad (10) and Borchgrevink (9) make the actual top ten for Key Passes, with Solheim only just missing out with 5. Thomassen has the most in the division with 15, while Desler and Sormo are joint second with 12. It shouldn’t be too surprising to find out that Bjorkan (9) and Ruud (9) are also amongst the best in the league. Kralj is something of a surprise with 7 (two more than Risa), while Alexander Stolas is on 6 (although all of those were quite ridiculously made in the same game).

For big chances created Solheim (3) and Borchgrevink (2) are our most impressive performers. This isn’t really an area associated with defenders so there’s no real gain from looking too much further into this. Solholm Johansen is the only other defender with 3 big chances created and there’s only 5 defenders in the league who have 2. Ari Jonsson (9/2) is another promising Fantasy asset let down by pretty much zero CSP and poor AP due to being in a poor side (Sandefjord) who don’t want to score many goals.

For the majority of our defenders, this isn’t an area they shine in. Poor correlation overall, but for Hedenstad and Borchgrevink potentially an outlet they can utilise to provide more chances for their team and in turn for themselves to score Fantasy points.

(Key Passes/Big Chances Created: Hanche-Olsen 2/1, Nasberg 1/0, Hedenstad 10/0, Reginiussen 0/0, Valsvik 0/0, Dragsnes 1/0, Kitolano 4/1, Solheim 5/3, Borchgrevink 9/2, Nakkim 1/1).

7) Accurate Crosses

Our top ten have produced 28 accurate crosses, 20 of those coming from Hedenstad and Borchgrevink. Solheim has chipped in with 6 and both Dragsnes and Kitolano each have 1. Everyone else has blanked. We can’t expect our defenders to all be the marauding full-back-cum-winger, but if given the choice between a defender who is constantly looking to play the ball into the box and one that simply isn’t interested, I know which one I’d choose.

Ruud (16) has produced the most crosses (he’s played just 644 minutes so far this season) with Aasbak (11) in second place. Ari Jonsson is doing his best to keep up with the big boys, whipping in 10 crosses himself with Desler (9) and Thomassen (7) trailing behind. Stolas – in just 138 minutes – has somehow put the ball in the box 6 times, as has the quite-exciting Anton Kralj. Bjorkan, Sormo and Risa all narrowly miss out on the top ten with 5 apiece.

(Accurate Crosses: Hanche-Olsen 0, Nasberg 0, Hedenstad 10, Reginiussen 0, Valsvik 0, Dragsnes 1, Kitolano 1, Solheim 6, Borchgrevink 10, Nakkim 0).

8) Interceptions and Tackles

Even though this isn’t Allsvenskan and we can’t expect our defenders to be rewarded for, well, playing defensively, it’s something we should take the time to look into as bonus points are an often-overlooked aspect of the game – they can provide well-needed boosts and turn a good gameweek into a much nicer one.

Only 4 of our players are in double figures for interceptions and just 5 for tackles. Borchgrevink, in particular, impresses here, as he has 13 interceptions and 15 tackles (7th overall in both tables) contributing a hefty 1.7 interceptions and tackles per games. For an attacking player who isn’t spending a lot of his time duelling with troublesome forwards, I’d say that’s quite respectable.

Nasberg (15) is beaten only by Pedersen (16) and Bjortuft (17) for interceptions but has a paltry 4 tackles – fewer than anyone else we’re interested in. Risa (15) and Bjorkan (12) show up in the top ten for interceptions, and Bjorkan (19) is third overall for tackles. Desler and Ruud both have 15 tackles along with Sandefjord pair Ari Jonsson and Kralj. While these parts of the game won’t directly result in points being scored for our defenders, it may go some way towards earning them a few bonus points which should never turn even the proudest of noses upwards.

(Interceptions/Tackles: Hanche-Olsen 10/5, Nasberg 15/4, Hedenstad 6/9, Reginiussen 14/9, Valsvik 7/11, Dragsnes 4/13, Kitolano 7/10, Solheim 6/7, Borchgrevink 13/15, Nakkim 7/18).

CONCLUSION

Hanche-Olsen is part of a solid Stabaek team which should end the season with a decent amount of clean sheets, while he himself offers a good amount of attacking threat in the way of goals. Nasberg has nabbed himself a goal from his only shot and has benefitted from being substituted early to have the most clean sheets in the league. Other than that he doesn’t seem to offer much else despite being a decent passer.

Hedenstad is one of the most effective passing defenders in the league, has a couple of assists and plays for a team that likes to keep clean sheets. Reginiussen is a solid centre-back but his age, combined with lack of goal-threat diminishes his appeal. Valsvik is by all intent and purposes a younger version of Reginiussen and thusly shouldn’t be expected to offer much in ways of attacking returns.

Dragsnes has a couple of goals already and is part of a Mjondalen defence few teams expect to break down with ease. He’s tidy shooter but his passing game really lets him down. Kitolano is one of the few defenders we’ve looked at whose talent stretches across multiple metrics. He has a goal, a couple of assists, is an accomplished passer and looks to get the ball forward wherever possible. He’s also playing for the second-best team in the league which should most definitely boost his appeal.

Solheim may not have scored but he’s got three assists and the same amount of clean sheets – he’s potentially quite the bargain if he maintains this kind of form. Borchgrevink, like Kitolano has performed well over the majority of the categories we’ve looked at to analyse our defenders. He’s the stand out player along with Hedenstad, and offers exceptional value for money at just 5.1m. Nakkim isn’t a flashy player and even though he’s in our top ten, I doubt he will still be there come the end of the season.

I went ahead and made my move for this week, transferring Hedenstad out for Borchgrevink. Valerenga are in 3rd place and look good for the money. They’re a good passing outfit who have all the potential to indeed finish in 3rd place after 30 games, despite struggling in front of goal. Having missed out on just ten minutes playing time, he’s absolutely nailed and has been an integral part of his team’s quest to win the ‘Rest of the League’ trophy.

If Espen Ruud can maintain his fitness (he’s 36) he could be an explosive asset. He might have played almost two whole games fewer than Risa, but he’s had pretty much the same amount of the ball as him. He’s averaging 85 touches a game – a truly astounding number. Desler and Thomassen performed well in most of our categories along with Bjorkan. The main issue I have with Bjorkan is that he occupies a Bodo/Glimt slot. When Hauge leaves he potentially takes his place, but you could easily make the argument to go with one of Berg or Satlnes instead.

Sormo should be on everyone’s radar also, as he’s 4.7m and in a defensively sound team like Kristiansund and looks a threat going forward. Ari Jonsson and Kralj are definitely two of Sandefjord’s most important players and their numbers are promising, but they lack quality around them, meaning attacking returns will more than likely remain few and far between no matter how well they play. (He does already have two assists, though). Even though there are question marks around Stolas’ fitness, he is already looking good statistically speaking. 6 key passes in a single game has a few eyebrows raised – but it’ll take far more regular, consistent performances before most of us will be convinced to hand over 7.3m for him.

My defence consists of Andreas Hopmark, Bent Sormo, Christian Borchgrevink, Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Jesper Daland. I am more than happy with my core defenders being Sormo/Borchgrevink/Hanche-Olsen as from what I can gather that provides me with a good mix of defensive stability and attacking potential. Hopmark can potentially be downgraded (Heggheim and Betten Hansen in particular seem to offer brilliant value) but while he may not offer as much going forward as his colleague Aasbak (4.9m), they’re part of the same team and a defensive double-up on Kristiansund might be a differential approach in itself.

I’ve certainly discovered a few things about quite a lot of players since diving into the statistics and it’s helped me feel more confident picking a team in which I can believe. Approaching the game in a more analytical manner has given me an assuredness I most certainly lack in FPL. Last week I finished on 87pts (28th overall) and in RD7 I scored 100 (42nd overall). Sandwiched between those two scores is an unsightly 25pts (31,479th overall). I’ve not undergone any major reconstructive surgery – it’s the very nature of Fantasy Football. You can experience such success you are placed in the upper echelons of high-society, amongst the elite, then before you know it you’re face down in the dirt, left to wonder what just happened.

ReindeerHotdog ESF: https://en.fantasy.eliteserien.no/entry/12433/event/17 Follow me on Twitter: @ReindeerHotdog

665 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Badluck Jonathan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    strømsgodset
    1 Will Røsholt Myhra
    5 Niklas Gunnarsson
    14 Look Saa Nicholas Kengkhetkid Mickelson
    26 Lars-Christopher Horst Jan Vilsvik
    70 Sondre Fosnæss Hanssen
    8 Johan Hove
    20 Mikkel Maigaard JakobsenKAPTEIN
    42 Ipalibo Jack
    10 Moses Dramwi Mawa
    19 Halldor Østervold Stenevik
    88 Lars-Jørgen Salvesen

  2. Badluck Jonathan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    fire
    1 Håkon Eikemo Opdal
    2 Taijo Tennis
    3 Vegard Valgermo Forren
    21 Ruben Kristiansen
    25 Ole Martin Lekven Kolskogen
    8 Fredrik Haugen
    23 Daniel Alexander PedersenKAPTEIN
    29 Kristoffer Ramos Barmen
    7 Gilbert Koomson
    11 Karamoko Daouda Bamba
    16 Robert Thomas Taylor

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks for posting, legend!

      1. Badluck Jonathan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Least I could do after MT kindly shared the link!

  3. Badluck Jonathan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sarpsborg 08
    33 David Erik Johan Mitov Nilsson
    4 Bjørn Inge Utvik
    5 Magnar Ødegård
    6 Nicolai Næss
    2 Sulayman Bojang
    11 Jonathan Lindseth
    16 Joachim ThomassenKAPTEIN
    26 Ismaila Cheick Coulibaly
    7 Ole Jørgen Halvorsen
    8 Mohamed Ofkir
    10 Jørgen Strand Larsen

  4. Badluck Jonathan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Haugesund
    1 Helge Valvatne Sandvik
    5 Benjamin Tiedemann Hansen
    15 Ulrik Tillung Fredriksen
    19 Mikkel Desler Puggaard
    22 Alexander Stølås
    6 Joakim Våge NilsenKAPTEIN
    10 Niklas Sandberg
    23 Thore Baardsen Pedersen
    99 Kristoffer Velde
    11 Alexander Ballegaard Ammitzbøll
    17 Ibrahima Wadji

  5. Badluck Jonathan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mjøndalen
    1 Sousha Makani
    3 Vetle Winger Dragsnes
    5 Alexander Betten Hansen
    12 Markus Lund Nakkim
    23 Sondre Solholm Johansen
    7 Lars Olden Larsen
    10 Tonny Brochmann ChristiansenKAPTEIN
    17 Martin Rønning Ovenstad
    33 Stian Semb Aasmundsen
    8 Fredrik Neerland Brustad
    22 Shuaibu Lalle Ibrahim

  6. Badluck Jonathan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Odd
    1 Sondre Løvseth Rossbach
    2 Espen Ruud
    5 Birk Risa
    18 Odin Luraas Bjørtuft
    21 Steffen HagenKAPTEIN
    6 Vebjørn Alvestad Hoff
    8 Markus André Kaasa
    16 Joshua Gaston Kitolano
    7 Kasper Lunding Jakobsen
    9 Mushaga Bakenga
    11 Elbasan Rashani

  7. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bringaker (capt) vs. Aalesund is too much, isn't it?

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

      Yup. Start barely score

    2. Badluck Jonathan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, I was being a little facetious. Was a pragmatic transfer to replace Lauritsen and still leave just enough funds for my planned Molde DGW moves.

      1. Badluck Jonathan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Very similar move to me.

  8. Ramboros
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have no idea what to do with my 2 transfers. I'm 0.1 off Østensen + Børven > James + 4.4 FWD. I could take a hit, but I'm not sure if it will be worth it. I can't move Mbaye to Start GK since Deumeland could be back for the weekend. Bojang > Heggheim is the only transfer that could be worth it in the long run, but Bojang is starting for once.

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would definitely roll 1FT and do a double transfer next GW, to line-up Molde (and Start?) assets.

      1. Ramboros
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        For now I'm on Østensen > Fiskerstrand to just have some more room for future transfers.

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Depends if you know your Molde transfers and have enough funds. Price rises happen quickly, as you know.

    2. MTPockets
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Surely you have to take the opportunity to lose Bojang on a ft

        1. Ramboros
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Looks like I'll do Bojang + Børven > Heggheim + James next round.

          1. MTPockets
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Yeah I just meant vs burning one

        2. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I rolled my FT this week. Sweating on Eikrem and Junker fitness. Don't mind if Berg comes off my bench (I often start Berg anyway), but don't really want Bench P2 in, as would mean double Stabaek defence vs. Glimt.

          1. MTPockets
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Also rolled and only have one sure sub (Foss)

        3. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Kastrati given another chance - think he'll take it.

          KBK need a big win to avoid inertia. Think Pelle and Kastrati will be on it tonight.

          Still really miffed as to why Kalludra is continually benched. His stats are great. Would get into every other team barring Molde/Glimt (potentially Glimt's midfield to be honest).

          Really strange how he's constantly overlooked for a place in the starting XI.

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

          Any interesting captains out there?

          1. El Puqi
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Playing it safe with Zinck. Too high rank to go against him, hah!

            1. ReindeerHotdog
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Fair. I've thrown it on Maigaard. Combination of stats plus fixture.

              I know Brann aren't awful but think SIF will pass them out the game.

              Bit of a gamble but I also don't think Glimt will destroy Stabaek (I'm ready to eat my words here haha) either.

              They aren't going to win every game - this could be a stumbling block for them.

              1. El Puqi
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Maigaard is a nice one!

                Stabaek has been fairly poor defensively with Solheim as a cb so I think there is a chance for a big win imo.

                And yeah ofc everyone goes with Zinck so I'm just gonna go with him. Went with Hauge last week so happy to put the armband back to Zinck.

          2. Badluck Jonathan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I've gone with Pelle

            1. Badluck Jonathan
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              But at 9k I don't have much to lose!

            2. ReindeerHotdog
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Fair shout.

              Home against Sandefjord. Main issue with him is if he takes a knock in the first minute and goes off.

              I can't have someone made out of glass in my team. Has a high ceiling but he's certainly a risk.

              1. Badluck Jonathan
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                I live on the edge...haha.

            3. ffs casual
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              I have Zinkernagel as I forgot about the gameweek deadline. Pelle is a good pick and in my head the one I would like to have selected. Not sure I would have been brave enough to go through with it so happy following the crowd with Zink, but also hoping for a Pelle haul.

        5. El Puqi
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Did Klaesson & Valsvik to Linde & Adrian "Alonso" Pereira for -4.

          Good luck everybody!

          1. Badluck Jonathan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Nice moves... Good luck!

            1. El Puqi
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Cheers!

        6. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Wow. I bring in Maigaard and within 10 minutes he repays my captaincy faith in him.

          Shall take that with a smile indeed.

          1. FPL Pillars
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Congrats! Happy for you, be so huge if he hauls and BG disappoint.

            1. ReindeerHotdog
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Thanks.

              I'm hoping for some bonus too. Been quite involved and can see more goals. Can also see Brann giving away a penalty - they're defending atrociously.

          2. El Puqi
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Looking good!

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

          Bringaker!

          1. FPL Pillars
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            No way haha, I was umming and erring to bring him in but decided to save FT. Congrats for the backers...

          2. Badluck Jonathan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Nice - brought him in this week!

        8. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Basically buy the best attacker every week playing AAFK

          1. El Puqi
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            They really are just horrible aren't they...

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

            AAFK vs Strand Larsen

            Think I'd actually fancy AAFK

          3. FPL Pillars
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Spot on 😆

        9. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Dont sit on your foot David,you can get injured on TV

          https://www.premierleague.com/video/single/1744473

        10. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Mbaye didn’t start, what’s the reason why?

          I’ll be selling him this week whatever anyway actually so N/M 🙂

        11. Roysgotnoboys
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Someone at work asked for some FPL tips for next year to get into the top 10K... can anyone build on the below?

          Regarding advice/ what I learnt and did this year I’d say:
          • Patience & eye test: I held Aubameyang for 3 weeks when he did nothing and then captained him. Most were saying he wasn’t great but he nearly scored in every game leading up to the 16 point haul.

          • Plan don’t chase: After the 16 point haul I sold Aubameyang which seems odd but played to the fixtures and meant I could make a well-rounded wild card. One player is rarely worth ruining your team for.

          • Make the obvious moves: Bruno, Greenwood and Martial IMO were no brainers for a few weeks. KBD and TAA season long keepers. Sterling when he’s in form. Own the high owned players when they are in form.

          • Trust your gut & play your own game: Cliché as hell but when you go against it and fail it’s infuriating and you chase points the next week. When your gut is wrong it’s not so bad.

          • Fantasy Football Scout: Listen to their podcast and read the articles. Useful but don’t take it as the gospel

          • Plan and treat transfers carefully: When doing well I actually made the drafts on my phone and then screenshotted each scenario and compared them for a few days. Very useful to compare scenario using FH vs WC etc. In normal gameweeks It prevented me from making rash transfers (so often people sell players who haul because they forget why they bought them/ patience runs out).

          1. ReindeerHotdog
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Another Top Tip is posting in the correct forum. That usually helps quite a bit.

        12. El Puqi
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Risa goal!

          Our RH out here having a GW of his life!

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

            Disallowed after lengthy discussions

          2. El Puqi
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Disallowed goal... Sorry

          3. ReindeerHotdog
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            !

            I'm pretty sure I'm the ONLY person in the game who has him as well!

            I'm so salty over Ruud. It was 50/50 between the two but I thought "Nah, Ruud is nearer to 40 than 30, no way he can keep starting and putting in ridiculous performances week after week..." Well, I was a tad wrong, wasn't I?

            I still don't understand how he's making a mockery of the league. I know the standard isn't brilliant, but he is 36 you know. Really frustrating hah.

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

          Betten Hansen red card

          1. Badluck Jonathan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Oh dear. I own him 🙁

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

              Never a red imo

              https://streamable.com/t6ykhx

              1. Badluck Jonathan
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                doesn't make me feel any better!

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

                  If it doesn't get overturned he's getting an extra game ban because it's his second red

          2. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            oops, just bought him

          3. TAT
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks a lot, Betten Hansen! On a 1k rank drop now, thanks to him.

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

          Koomson shot cleared off the line damn

          1. ReindeerHotdog
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I've benched Koomson this week.

            Convinced Stromsgodset get a clean sheet. Hopefully doesn't come back to haunt me..

            1. ffs casual
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              He is in my team, but with 6 of his 7 goals scored in home fixtures, you are probably safe.

              1. ReindeerHotdog
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Yeah that was part of the reason. Brann aren't great away from home. Koomson is like Firmino in that sense.

                Plus, Stromsgodset are quite good at holding onto the ball (3rd highest average possession behind Glimt and Molde).

                Not the best passers but 5th highest attempted passes and 6th highest % accurate passes (77.8%).

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

          Wadji yellow for dissent

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            one match ban !

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              ?

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

              Not unless he gets another in the second half

        16. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          cheap defenders taking a pasting

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

            Foss has pocketed Pellegrino, cleanie incoming there

        17. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Mawa goal
          Salvesen assist

          Stromsgodset 2 - 0 Brann

        18. Ramboros
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Bojang makes it past 60. Never been a clearer sign of an incoming Haugesund goal.

        19. Ramboros
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Eikrem and James on the bench. Moe is preparing to play his double captaincy next GW.

        20. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I really don't understand the points given for saves.

          How can 5 saves only equate to 1 point? Just doesn't make any sense to me.

          I'd have thought 5 saves should surely be worth 2pts. Seems a bit tight to me.

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            1 point 3 saves

        21. Mince n Tatties
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Molde

          1 Andreas Christopher Linde
          2 Martin Bjørnbak KAPTEIN
          8 Fredrik Vangstad Sjølstad
          20 Henry Swenson Wingo
          25 John Shuguto Kitolano
          15 Tobias Christensen
          16 Etzaz Muzafar Hussain
          17 Fredrik Aursnes
          14 Erling Knudtzon
          23 Eirik Ulland Andersen
          99 Ohikhuaeme Anthony

          1. FPL Xylophone
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Why James isn't starting again?

        22. Mince n Tatties
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Vålerenga

          13 Kristoffer-August Sundquist Klaesson
          2 Christian Dahle Borchgrevink
          4 Jonatan Tollås Nation KAPTEIN
          14 Fredrik Oldrup Jensen
          22 Ivan Tarek Fjellstad Näsberg
          10 Matthias Vilhjalmsson
          15 Odin Thiago Holm
          23 Felix Horn Myhre
          9 Aron Leonard Dønnum
          20 Benjamin Stokke
          26 Osame Sahraoui

        23. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Well, my punt on Kastrati didn't work did it?

          Straight out of my team next week. What a waste of time. Thought as he'd been given a start he'd have done something with it. Against Sandefjord, didn't see much risk in bringing him in.

          Sigh. Looks like a standard swap for Bringaker.

          Even with Pellegrino in their side, Kristiansund look so unappealing. Not even sure about having one of their defenders at the moment either.

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

          Bringaker subbed with an injury

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            ffs

          2. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            FFS 2.

            Next week I won't reveal which cheap striker I bring in and issue the Kiss of Death upon.