The Promoted

West Bromwich Albion’s defence assessed ahead of FPL return in 2020/21

Having profiled the managers and tactics of Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, our series on the newly-promoted Premier League sides continues with this look at the Baggies’ defence.

We will discuss Albion’s midfielders and forwards in a separate piece.

In this article, we will assess West Brom’s overall clean sheet chances and then present a player-by-player rundown of their backline.

We’ve again roped in the help of Matt Wilson, an Albion die-hard and the former assistant sports editor at the Express and Star.


What is West Brom’s clean sheet potential?

West Brom had the third-best defensive record in the Championship last season, having conceded 45 goals in 46 matches, but they’ve looked shaky at the back on occasion.

The Baggies recorded 14 clean sheets over the campaign, a modest tally that was eight short of Leeds United’s total and seven fewer than Sheffield United managed in 2018/19.

Bilic’s troops curiously didn’t record their first shut-out at The Hawthorns until February of this year, with only five of their 14 clean sheets arriving on home soil.

No club in the English second tier conceded on fewer occasions (18) than West Brom on the road but ten clubs shipped fewer goals than Albion (27) on their own turf.

Some early-season goal-fests at The Hawthorns partly accounted for that, with scores of 3-2, 4-2, 4-2, 2-2 and 2-2 all recorded in the Baggies’ first seven home matches.

Perhaps that was a hangover from 2018/19, when Albion shipped a whopping 62 goals despite finishing fourth.

Albion tightened up in the final third of last season, registering nine clean sheets in their final 17 fixtures and conceding on just 12 occasions.

Personnel choices at the back may have been a factor in this, as we’ll discuss below.

A change from zonal to man-to-man marking at dead-ball situations earlier this calendar year was also a turning point, as Matt Wilson explains:

For most of the season, they were relatively solid from open play but struggled with balls into the box because of a zonal marking system. But they fixed that after Christmas and the majority of their clean sheets came from February onwards.

Albion’s overall home and away record in 2019/20 was as follows:


PWDLFAGDPTSCS
Total46221777745+328314
Home23101034427+17405
Away2312743318+15439

CS = Clean sheets


Player by Player

Sam Johnstone

Goalkeeper

Starts: 46 | Clean sheets: 14

The only ever-present player in West Bromwich Albion’s squad last season, goalkeeper Sam Johnstone hasn’t missed a single league game since joining the Baggies from Manchester United in July 2018.

A total of 111 saves made was 20 higher than Leeds’ two shot-stoppers managed combined but seven fewer than Fulham’s goalkeeping duo recorded.

Johnstone had only registered nine clean sheets in his first year with the Albion but did better that tally in 2019/20, thanks to the late-season improvement at the back.

The Baggies don’t look likely to be the second incarnation of Sheffield United, however, and save points will be just as important as shut-outs for Johnstone in the Premier League.

A £4.5m price tag beckons but, while clean sheets may be limited, we could have another Neil Etheridge on our hands: Johnstone has saved six of the last 13 penalties he has faced.

The former Express and Star journalist Matt Wilson told us:

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could rack up a few save points. He kept 14 clean sheets last season (the highest in the league was 16) and his save percentage was sixth-best.

Although Johnstone could work on commanding his area, and I’m not expecting too many clean sheets, there’s no denying he’s a fantastic shot-stopper and on top of that, he’s saved six penalties in the last two seasons.

Darnell Furlong

Right-back

Starts: 22 | Substitute Appearances: 9 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 1

None of West Brom’s full-backs made more appearances than Darnell Furlong last season but by no means will he be assured of a start come Gameweek 1.

All but three of his 22 starts came before the end of January and the 24-year-old defender was mostly on bench duty thereafter, with Dara O’Shea taking over at right-back.

The reason? Balance.

Bilic has a policy of starting one attack-minded and one more defensively solid full-back, with the latter hanging back to prevent an overrun on the break.

Furlong’s chances of a start may largely hinge on who gets the nod down the left flank, then, although his manager could well dip into the transfer market to reinforce his options on either side.

Speaking about the switch at right-back in February, Bilic said of Furlong:

It’s about balance. We wanted to find the balance in the team. At one stage of the season we were lacking creativity, we were not dangerous enough – we weren’t creating much.

When Grady (Diangana) got injured, Matheus (Pereira) got suspended, some players had a dip in form and we were not fluid enough. Then we needed him, from the back, and he was also doing well.

In this moment, now, we have to find the balance between defence and offence. That stability at the back – that’s what we’ve found in Dara.

As I said, he’s still a very important member of the team. He will play. It’s not that I’m not happy with his overall game, especially if we’re talking about the season – his first season at the club. But we needed something different there, and that is the reason. The only reason.

Furlong does offer a threat if selected, with only winger Matt Phillips (127) – who played eight more games – trumping him (126) for open-play crosses among the Albion squad last season.

Furlong’s rate of chances created (one every 89.6 minutes) and shots (86.1) was the best among Albion’s backline, although over a third of his attempts did come from outside the area.

He was also the only West Brom defender to create a big chance in 2019/20 and carved out six of those gilt-edged opportunities in all.

Both of his goals were headers from corners.

Dara O’Shea

Right-back/Centre-half

Starts: 16 | Substitute Appearances: 1 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 0

As we discussed above, Dara O’Shea was the man Bilic turned to when he wanted to tighten up at right-back.

The young Irishman, who progressed through the club’s academy, hadn’t made a single league appearance for Albion until just before Christmas 2019, when he came off the bench to replace the injured Kyle Bartley.

O’Shea was thrust into the starting XI in the Championship equivalent of Gameweek 29 and played 16 of his side’s final 18 league fixtures, with all bar one of those run-outs coming at right-back.

A centre-half by trade, O’Shea’s future may well be at the heart of the defence but he could still be the go-to defensive-minded option at right-back next season, depending on who else Bilic brings in over the summer.

While not much of a goal threat from open play, the 6’2″ defender scored three times in the run-in, with all of his goals coming from dead-ball situations.

Conor Townsend

Left-back

Starts: 19 | Substitute Appearances: 8 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1

With Kieran Gibbs suffering injury after injury and Nathan Ferguson unavailable from the back-end of January, 27-year-old Conor Townsend was the man Bilic turned to as he sought to plug the gap at left-back.

Townsend didn’t start his first Championship match of the campaign until November and it wasn’t until the turn of 2020 that he was allowed a sustained run in the team.

The former Hull City and Scunthorpe United player started 14 of Albion’s final 20 matches at left-back, with his displays improving in the spring but still not enough to make him a sure-fire starter.

Indeed, when football resumed in mid-June after a three-month break, Townsend didn’t even make the 20-man matchday squad for the first two post-restart games.

Not as productive as Gibbs in attack or a particularly outstanding defender, it seems doubtful that he’ll start 2020/21 as Albion’s first-choice left-back and indeed the Baggies have already been linked with moves for Antonee Robinson and Rico Henry in that position since sealing promotion.

Townsend hasn’t scored a league goal for West Brom since joining two years ago and had only four shots in the whole of 2019/20.

Kieran Gibbs

Left-back

Starts: 14 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 2

A name FPL managers will be familiar with, Kieran Gibbs made 137 Premier League appearances for Arsenal before making the switch to the West Midlands three years ago.

Whether he’ll be making a return to the top tier is another question, however, with Albion reportedly open to offers for the 30-year-old former England international.

With his wages poised to rise as a result of promotion, his contract set to expire in 2021 and injury problems blighting his previous season, Gibbs may well move on this summer.

He was reduced to just 14 starts in 2019/20, with a back problem and recurring hamstring injury limiting his involvement.

Three attacking returns in less than 1,000 minutes of pitch-time highlighted his potential but Furlong bettered him for underlying chance creation and goal threat statistics.

His defensive deficiencies were something that our Albion correspondent, Matt Wilson, picked out when he discussed Albion’s current crop of full-backs:

Dara O’Shea and Darnell Furlong will battle for right-back, with the young Irishman being more defensive, and Furlong more attacking.

At left-back, Kieran Gibbs provides Premier League experience and great technique, but he is injury prone and doesn’t always cut out the cross. Conor Townsend is currently the back-up, but Bilic might sign a full-back this summer.

Semi Ajayi

Centre-half

Starts: 42 | Substitute Appearances: 1 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 0

With uncertainty abounding elsewhere, arguably the pick of West Brom’s defensive assets from an FPL perspective is Semi Ajayi.

A permanent fixture at centre-half for much of the campaign, Ajayi started 42 of the 45 Championship matches that he was available for.

The goal count particularly stands out, with his five strikes in 2019/20 taking his total to 16 over the last three seasons.

Ajayi was someone Matt Wilson picked out when we asked the former Albion reporter for Fantasy options to consider for 2020/21:

Central defender Semi Ajayi could be a potentially fruitful cut-price option. Although promoted teams are vulnerable to conceding (and as a fan I’m expecting a few hammerings), Ajayi has seriously impressed since his move from Rotherham and I wouldn’t be surprised if he picked up the odd bonus point in games Albion play well. He also loves a goal, scoring five times last season and eight times in the season before that.

The towering stopper registered more shots in the opposition area (24) than any Albion defender this season, with seven of them coming from within the six-yard box.

Just to put that in perspective, however, six Premier League defenders bettered that ‘shots in the box’ total in fewer minutes – and against better opposition – in 2019/20.

Kyle Bartley

Centre-half

Starts: 37 | Substitute Appearances: 1 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2

While Ajayi’s goal count caught the eye, Kyle Bartley actually bettered his fellow centre-half for big chances (seven v five) in 2019/20.

The minutes-per-shot averages weren’t too dissimilar, either; Bartley’s was 163.4, Ajayi’s 151.3.

The 29-year-old stopper, a former £4.0m bench fodder option at Swansea City, looks the better bet when it comes to the Bonus Points System, too.

Bartley bested all other Albion defenders for clearances, blocks, interceptions (13.2 minutes per CBI), while none of his teammates recorded more successful passes (83% accuracy at an average of 39.9 per match).

What he may not offer, however, is security of starts: after being a regular for much of the campaign, Bartley was benched in seven of Albion’s last 13 fixtures.

Matt Wilson explained:

In my opinion, Ajayi has what it takes to step up to the Premier League.

Bartley is slightly older and slightly slower, so even though he’s commanding, he could struggle against more nippy strikers. 

Ahmed Hegazi started playing towards the end of the season and was one of the better players in the run-in, so he could start in defence alongside Ajayi.

Ahmed Hegazi

Centre-half

Starts: 14 | Substitute Appearances: 2 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0

FPL managers may remember Ahmed Hegazi from his blistering start in 2017/18, when he plundered 23 points in the opening two Gameweeks.

A regular for Albion in his first two years in the West Midlands, the Egyptian had to be more patient in the season just gone.

An injury led to his unavailability at the start of 2019/20 and he was mostly on bench duty thereafter.

The final quarter of the campaign saw him play more of a prominent role, however, with starts in nine of the Baggies’ final 13 matches – and two of those no-shows were enforced.

The Egypt international’s minutes-per-chance average was only a so-so 244.2 last season, almost exactly the same as it was in the Premier League in 2017/18 (241.9).

Speculation still surrounds his future and he may not even be a West Brom player come September but a £4.5m price tag likely beckons if he does stick around, which would seem to be the case for most of the players discussed in this piece.

The Rest

The only other out-and-out defender who made a league appearance for West Bromwich Albion last season was Nathan Ferguson.

The versatile teenager made 21 starts and was a regular in the first half of the season, appearing at both right-back and left-back.

A more natural – if slight – centre-half, he scored once and assisted another Albion goal in his 1,748 minutes of pitch-time.

Ferguson was targeted by Crystal Palace in January and, although the move broke down because of a problematic knee injury that required exploratory surgery, it always looked likely that the young prospect would leave in the summer, with his contract running down.

The Eagles subsequently snapped him up as a free agent in July.

Former Cardiff City full-back Lee Peltier didn’t make a single appearance after signing on a short-term deal in January, while back-up goalkeepers Ali Al-Habsi and Jonathan Bond were also unused in the Championship last season.

Al-Habsi departed the club at the end of June, while Bond is also out of contract this summer.

Best players by position:

608 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    It looks like pep roulette at the back.. SEMI AJAYI looks good tho!

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He does look good, like a young Will Smith.

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I got a Semi reading this article.

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Skonto Rigga should put this quote on his CV.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          semi-final? semi-detached?

        2. Skonto Rigga
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Had to have a cold shower and some bromide after reading it.

  2. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    My priority for any defender has to be the possibility of clean sheets. Has to be a big 'no' for me.

  3. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Are we surprised if the new season is not announced next week?

  4. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Bilic is an accident waiting to happen. The only player I am interested in from WBA is Pereira but I would wait and see before picking him as towers are likely to set him at 6.5.

    WBA are not going to keep many clean sheets with Bilic constant tinkering at the back. I wouldn't touch their defence. Same with Fulham who are bound to be the whipping boys this coming season.

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I seriously doubt Matheus will be 6.5 no way. Same as Ayoze Perez last season? Na.

      When Wolves were promoted Jimenez was 5.5 and Jota was 5 or 5.5 can't remember....

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I think they genuinely didn't expect Jimenez to be any good as an FPL option. Pukki was 6.5 when Norwich were promoted for example, Mitrovic 6.5 last time Fulham were promoted.

      2. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Pereira 20 assists and 8 goals in Championship plus he had more shots than any attack from WBA last season. By far their most prized attacking asset. He will be their most expensive player to chose from.

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Jota was 6.5

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          This too - Jota 6.5, Mitrovic 6.5, Pukki 6.5. In general they tend to put the main attacking threat (or who they think it is anyway, they got it wrong with Jota and Jimenez!) at 6.5 if he's scored well enough in the Championship.

      4. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Jota was 6.5, Helder Costa was 5.5

    2. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed, maybe a 4.5 fodder from either team if fixtures look kind, but will want to look elsewhere for sure.

  5. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Latest article from FPL

    "The forward was the top scorer for the Championship winners, netting 16 goals and supplying two assists.

    He was their main attacking threat by some margin.

    Bamford's tally of 143 shots was 68 more than his nearest rival, Jack Harrison.

    Furthermore, his 128 shots in the penalty area and 56 shots on target were both more than double any other player for Marcelo Bielsa's side."

    Would any consider this bloke at 6m?

    Stats are not bad.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Very bad conversion rate

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        If he is nailed which he seems to be then I am considering him.

        I can't see any Leeds def outscoring him and their midfield is a bit of a lottery.

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I can see lots of non-Leeds players outscoring him!

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yes but there is not going to be much choice in the 6m forward bracket.

            So Ayew, Connolly, Maupay, Adams, Nketiah, Mcburnie and Deeney etc are not the kind of players you would want to start with but unfortunately budget of 100m comes into play.

            Bamford as Leeds main attacking threat and nailed vs above options is why I would consider him.

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

              I'd rather have a not-nailed Maupay who has actually scored 10 PL goals and 131 FPL points, notwithstanding his rotation risk, than Bamford, who scored 1 PL goal in his last 2 seasons.

              1. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Bamford hardly played as PL asset. If you look at his minutes history he was never 1st chose at any PL team so let's wait and see how this season turns out when he will likely play all 38.

                16 goals not a bad return from a budget player for this coming season. As you say, Maupay is not nailed and will be no less than 6.5.

                I would rather take my chances with a nailed player leading attacking threat for his team.

                But each their own...

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

                  16 goals in the Championship translates into maybe half that, at most, in the PL. Pukki went from 29 goals in the Championship to 11 in the PL, which was considered roughly meeting expectations, not drastically underperforming.

            2. Greek Freak
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              That's true - personally I would compromise somewhere else because I wouldn't have any of those players (including Bamford).

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

                Yes, there should be better options at 6.5, but if I needed a 6.0 striker, I would consider Maupay and Adams at that price. Or Deeney if he were to sign for a team where he'd be a probable starter.

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Which options will be at 6.5. Wood is in for a price hike, Jota likely to be a mid.

                  Maybe Watkins but any team willing to sign him are going to be ripped off so may not be joining the PL.

                  There will be very little choice in the 6m bracket.

                  1. Greek Freak
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    We've talked about this before but Mitrovic 😉

                    1. FOO FIGHTER
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      No thanks

                      1. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        That's my attitude about Bamford - it seems the discussion has reached its natural end!

                      2. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Lol, Fulham is the very last place I am looking at for players.

                      3. Ginkapo FPL
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Mitro scored 26 last year and is hitting his prime age.

                        Plus I get to sing Mitro's on fire

                      4. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        I'm not looking at Fulham as a team - I agree they're likely to be the league punching bag for the season.

                        But they're still going to score goals during their heavy losses, and Mitrovic is the one who's going to score them. He scored 11 in an awful Fulham team last time round - he has the pedigree.

                      5. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Same as in the Championship - Mitrovic played for a far worse team but still scored 10 more than Bamford.

                      6. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        He is not going to get 20+ in the PL. 6.5 or more really cuts from the budget so I will be looking to save at least 0.5 to go for a defender capable of outscoring him.

                        Mitro FPL history just not anything to get excited about.

                      7. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        I wasn't suggesting he'll get 20+ at all - but the fact that he scored so much more than Bamford in a worse team is a pretty good indicator he can do it again. (as is his previous PL record of 10+ goals last time round)

                      8. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Do it again = comfortably outscore Bamford that is, not score 26 goals again.

                      9. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        5 to 5.5 def likely to outscore Mitro. So will bank the 0.5 and go for someone just under his price.

                      10. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        I think a 6.5 defender is certainly likely to outscore Mitrovic - but it'll be much harder to predict which 5.5 defender will outscore Mitrovic if that makes any sense.

                        In other words - it's pretty safe to go for a 6.5 because most of them will reliably score a lot, but it's much harder to predict which ones in the 5-5.5 range can do the same.

                        My ranking therefore would be
                        1. 6.5 def
                        2. Mitrovic
                        3. 5.5 def

                      11. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Most 5 to 5.5 def outscored Wood, Pukki, Ayew and even DCL.

                        Mitro will struggle to finish aheadin points of Wood.

                        My solution, stay away from Fulham 😉

                      12. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        The thing is, you don't know in advance what you're getting from a 5-5.5 def the same way you do from a 6.5. For 5-5.5 you could've had a Stevens (142 points), Tarkowski (143) or Baldock (142), but on the other hand also a Coady (118), Ake (79) or Keane (90).

                        You can rely on a 6.5 to be a consistent option likely to outscore the likes of Mitrovic, but you won't know which 5-5.5 to pick unless with hindsight or luck of course.

                      13. Baps hunter
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        AWB or is he 6.0?

                      14. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Mate, Dunk in a sh*te Brighton defence started at 4.5 and outscored DCL.

                        Defence and midfield will be the place to be next season.

                        6.5 for Mitro = poor FPL record in a poor whipping boy team? Still a know from me.

                        I am looking to save at least 0.5 or even 1m on another option compared to Mitro and go with someone like Wesley cheaper than Mitro who almost match DCL ppg. Maybe Bamford will come in at 5.5 🙂

                      15. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Of course, you can pick individual defenders who have done brilliantly, but as I said above my point is you don't know in advance who those defenders are going to be, unless we go up to the 6-6.5m range. For every Stevens, Dunk and Tarkowski there's a Keane and Ake.

                        In the 6-6-5 def range you know in advance you're getting quality though.

                        Pukki scored 139 points for 6.5, Mitrovic will probably be in the same range. Most 5m defenders will score less, most 6-6.5 defenders will score more. Hence my ranking above. Ideally of course we'll all pick the bargain defenders who'll get 140+ points, but this is only easy to do in hindsight.

                      16. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Soy, Egan, Basham, Aurier, AWB, Slabhead, Evans, Baldock, Steven and Lundstrum. If Boly was never injured you would be looking at a very good score from him too.

                        Take your pick.

                      17. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Coady would also finished on alot more if Boly never got injured. Gomez from LFC considering Alisson's injury.

                      18. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Of those you listed only the Sheffield United bunch scored more than Pukki.

                        Which was my point too - most defenders in the 4.5-5.5 range will score less than 140 points. It's possible to find some exceptions but most will score less.

                      19. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        You do not take points per game into account.

                        What would you rather have, Pukki at 6.5m and under 4 points per game or a 4.5 to 5 defender minimum 3.5 to 4 points per game and cash saved for better player in midfield?

                        But yeah, we are going to go around in circles here so let's just call it agree to disagree.

                      20. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        I mean, we're not having a heated argument or anything - just a conversation.

                        And I'm not telling you to buy Mitrovic either - just that if I had to get a 6.5 striker myself, it would probably be Mitrovic. We'll see though - as I said I prefer 6.5 defenders so we'll see what my drafts are like when the prices are revealed.

                      21. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Yes no heated argument. Good convo though as it starts thinking plan.

                      22. FPL Theorist
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        You're right, this is why I can't see FPL Towers messing up the 6.5 forward category by giving us no options but Mitro in that price range.

                        For me, the appropriate comparison for a 6.5 forward is a 6.0 defender (both are 2.0 above fodder).

                        Unless there is a good selection of 6.5 or lower forwards, most managers will justifiably choose 6.0 defenders instead, such as AWB and Azpi (or whoever is the most attacking nailed Chelsea option after new signings).

                        Ideally there would be quite a few viable 6.5 forwards. Then some managers would still choose a 6.0 defender instead, but others would choose to shuffle around the various 6.5 forwards over the course of the season to try and get more out of that spot.

                      23. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        I see the 6.0 defender range as more of a safe pick compared to the 6.5 forwards, but there are probably more points to be found in the latter. I guess that's because personally I'd see a 6.0 defender as a set-and-forget pick, but a 6.5 forward as an opportunity to switch around depending on who's in form.

                      24. Andy_Social
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Hmm, you've got me thinking along slightly different lines. Last pre-season there seemed to be a rash of 6.5 striker options, but nearly all disappointed. Inga was a winner, but otherwise Wilson and Pukki flattered to deceive and woods only came good late on.

                        I was gonna have 2x6.5 strikers and 2x4m benchie defenders. I think I'll make those defenders playing 4.5s and one striker a 5.5 and play the fixtures. A 4.5 defender with a good home fixture is more likely to outscore a 5.5m striker, or even the 'wrong' 6.5 striker.

                      25. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Defence and midfield will be my main point of focus. There really is not going to be much choice budget forward wise. 4.5 defender at minium 3.5 points per game better than Pukki blanking every week.

                      26. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        The potential for rewards was there - if you switched between, say, Pukki, Wood and DCL at various points you'd have a lot of points. But of course there's plenty of scope to own them at the wrong time, like I did 😀

                        Normally when you buy an expensive defender on the other hand you do it with a view to keeping him for long stretches.

                      27. Andy_Social
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        A 4.5 defender will end up with plenty 1 pointers; I'd want to play him perhaps 1 fixture in 3 until he shows some form, or swap him for another. I have in mind 9 regular starters and the final 2 starting places shared between 2x4.5 defenders, a 4.5 midfielder, a 5.5 and a 5.0 playing striker.

                  2. FPL Theorist
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    I guess you're expecting massive across-the-board price inflation, while I'm not, so it's hard to resolve any of this until we see the prices.

                    The following players all started last season at 6.5 and ended lower than they started: Pukki (6.4), Wood (6.2), Deeney (6.2), Jota (6.0), King (6.1). Maupay started at 6.0 and ended at 5.7. DCL was up 0.1 at 6.1, while Ings was the big exception rising from 6.0 to 7.6.

                    I don't think there is any reason for any of the ones who started last season at 6.5 to come in higher than 6.5 again. I think Wood will be available at 6.5, Maupay likely 6.0 but possibly 6.5, Adams probably 6.0.

                    In general, players from bad teams were overpriced last season, while many players from the top few teams were underpriced. So I expect big price hikes for the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea, some Man City players, but not for mid-table and below (with the odd individual exception like Ings).

                    1. FOO FIGHTER
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Sorry, but I am not convinced Mitro is anywhere near an option at 6.5.

                      5 to 5.5 defenders were outscoring DCL and Pukki. I cant see Mitro bettering DCL or Pukki this past season.

                      But each their own in the end.

                      1. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Pukki scored 11 goals last season, exactly the same as Mitrovic in 18/19. There's no reason to expect anything less from Mitrovic.

                      2. FOO FIGHTER
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Well it is your choice to go with him at 6.5.

            3. Young Lingard
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              well I think the debate of next season will be the young forward v the fodder forward so for example many players lost the Greenwood points due to unpredictabilty of starting earlier in the year/ but Greenwood could have been nketiah or Martinelli and perhaps this year we might get a wolves kid (Neto will be a mid but maybe someone) oe Martinelli (maybe a mid also) at 4.5 million that could outscore those priced at 6m etc.. Allowing a pricier two man forward line with a prospect at 4.5m could be the trend. I think wood jrod barnes are all above any promoted forward at max 7m

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                I intend to start with a front 3 costing 18m: 6.5, 6.5 5m. The idea is to play the fixtures and wait for the hidden bargain-bucket gem to emerge. I'll likely use a lot of transfers jumping on and off cheap strikers until then. That's why my intention is to have 3 nailed starting defenders and 4 nailed starting midfielders so that my transfer activity can focus on a narrow range. So I don't expect whatever 3 cheap strikers I start with to be anything special.

          2. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Oh sh*te, remove Deeney but he could very well end up at one of the bottom half teams...

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Leeds really should sign a PL quality striker. If they don't, I probably won't be going near their attack.

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He aint no Pukki

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Leeds share goals around. Thats ok for fpl players from City as they score plentifully, its not ok for fpl players from Leeds.

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

      Not considering him

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I ain't touching him.

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Will get a 4.5m 3rd striker. Best way to fund your team.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          That's okay if your other 2 outfield subs are active, but a dead 4m defender and dead 4.5m striker would be too much of a risk.

  6. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    how shocking is sky sports golf coverage ,2 blokes in contention hardly saw them play a shot,shaufelle and fleetwood,same 3 minutes worth of crap ads every 10 minutes or so and that stupid sarah stirk trying to sound interested,badly needs a shake up ,its become the biggest snoozefest on tv ,RANT OVER...

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed. Didn’t see Webb Simpson once. Not that he was playing well but I had a bet on him! Very disappointing coverage

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      There was about 20 players in a couple of shots of the lead, and their coverage was based on the US feed.

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

    Semi Ajayi looks a fun pick. Throwback to the good old days of owning WBA CBs.

  8. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Greek media are saying Liverpool have bid for Olympiacos LB Tsimikas while English media are saying Liverpool's bid for Jamal Lewis has been rejected.

    Whether it's Tsimikas or Lewis, it looks like Liverpool will be signing a LB which probably means Robertson misses the odd game out.

    TAA, VVD, Robbo would be my ranking of Liverpool defenders.

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

      Who's gonna be VVD's partner at CB?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Gomez

      2. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Gomez and Matip both top quality when fit. Probably Gomez given that Matip missed back end of season with injury.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Confirmed by Paul Joyce, tier 1

      https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/1292453096275222534?s=19

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        One would think Lewis is still the one we want to get due to him being home grown.

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Potentially, but we're signing Tsimikas now. Reddy confirmed he's having a medical this week.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Well that is one problem down. Now just a replacement for Lovren, try our best to get shot of Shaqiri and then ad Alcantara and we should be sorted.

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Won't be in best XI so not much marketing value if Tsimikas can do the job and save millions for the club.

          1. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            This

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      LB is a position that needs backup - I don't think Millie is really suitable as any more than an occasional sub appearance at LB. At RB Nico Williams can cover TAA, and VVD and Gomez have Matip (and a gap now Lovren has gone). It just means Robbo can have the occasional rest but he'd get plenty gametime, and I'd still be as confident in playing TAA/VVD/Robbo week in week out.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        GK: Alisson, Adrian
        LB: Robertson, ?????
        RB: TAA, Williams
        CB: VVD, Gomez, Matip, Phillips
        DM: Fabinho, Keita
        CM: Henderson, Wijnaldum, ?????, Jones
        LM: Mane, Minamino
        RM: Salah, Ox
        FW: Firmino, Origi

        Sign: Lewis / Tsimikas, Thiago Alcântara
        Sell: Wilson, Grujic, Shaqiri

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Need a versatile forward too.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Brewster may step up this season.

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yup, looks about right to me.

        3. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I think you can add Brewster if he does not go on loan ahead of Origi.

          Keita does not get deployed as a DM. Milner is a holding mid under Klopp and nothing yet suggests he will be leaving.

          Replacement for Lovren should be signed as well. Matip has been linked with moves.

          I can see up to 3 new faces added. LB, CB and mid.

    4. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Milner was the alternative last year I expect he will captain and start cup games in midfield going forward. for Robbo he's likely to still start more than Trent I think in the league and he is my sneaky pick. Trent has been brilliant for me BRILLIANT but if he's 1m over Robbo and VVD then I'm changing up this year

    5. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You guys are really penny pinching aren't you? Apparently Norwich want £20m for Lewis and you bid 10/12, if that was us we'd be quoted 20 and offer 35.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Haha yeah. Lewis isn't happening, Tsimikas medical in next few days via Melissa Reddy.

        I think 15m would've been fair for Lewis all things considered, but no issue club pursuing someone else provided that a LB is signed.

    6. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Tsimikas and Lewis aren’t even close in quality. Tsimikas is a great player and was one of the best in Olympiakos team last season. Lewis wasn’t even up to Norwich’s standards. He has no attacking threat at all. He should be playing for a midtable Championship team at best.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Never seen Tsimikas play but seems like Twitter think he's really good and better than Lewis.

      2. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        hows this guys surname pronounced ? So I can pretend I know how rubbish he is to my LFC supporting housemate. Bit of banter in house because I am bored

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

          chi (like chin) - me - cas

          1. Greek Freak
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Almost - it's a 'ts' sound, the same as in 'cats', 'bats' etc. English speakers find it hard to pronounce that in the beginning of a word, and normally make the T silent.

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

              πατριώτης?

              1. Greek Freak
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Ομογενής 🙂

                1. Catenaccio FC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Where from? Greek too curently living in NY

                  1. Greek Freak
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Born in London, living in Montreal currently.

  9. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    No European football for Wolves would make Doherty, Traore and Jimenez (if he is still there) very good picks even if they go up in price. A Wolves without European football are better than Arsenal, Spurs and Leicester teams with European football, IMO.

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      They might be in the Champions League 😉

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Wolves winning the Europa will be massive for them but bad for FPL.

      2. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        😯

      3. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, it's either CL or nothing!

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

      Podence is the one I am interested in, although probably not nailed.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He does look interesting. If he were to replace Jota as first choice, I'd be all over him. But it's unlikely.

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          The problem is that whoever starts out of Jota and Podence will always be a 60min sub risk, even with 3 changes.

      2. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Neto is just as good imo . in fact Wolves are becoming so good at recruitment Jimi might get rests here and there but still without Europe this is the team that must be value for money can't see hikes being too drastic.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Neto definitely being slept on compared to other young players like Greenwood Pulisic Martinelli Saka

      3. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I just had a thought actually. with ruddy going if they had a back up at 4m would players be enticed to set and forget wolves GK for CS. A huge punt that would restrict more interesting options but something.
        Also I wonder if FPL may classify dendoker as a centre back in the game. I am unsure his minutes last year in both positions

        1. Fit of Pique
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Do you mean two Wolves GK?

          What about Jimenez and Doherty?

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Patricio + 4m backup Wolves keeper makes sense from a GK point of view, but it would mean limiting your options outfield if Wolves have a strong season.

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      What sort of post is this by FPL? Are they just trying to attract traffic or are they bored?

      https://twitter.com/OfficialFPL/status/1292443527943786499?s=20

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Sterling reclassification perhaps?

        That post is a bit naughty from them tbf

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I hope it is a hint at Antonio, Martial, Salah and Sterling being reclassified as forwards for the 2020/21 season.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          That might make sense. Perhaps they have to change their approach to classification, because lack of forwards is going to be serious issue for the whole game if they do nothing.

          1. Flaming Flamingo
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Lack of midfielders would be a much worse issue if wingers start being reclassified to forwards. KDB and Bruno would be in every team.

            1. Baps hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Maybe they find a solution that looks like a coin toss to us 😉

      3. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        They are bored. Though they could gain early interest by revealing individual prices/classification changes on twitter to drum up sites like this and interest in players rejoining. I think at least three players from my mini leagues quit prior to restart

      4. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Did you answer the question?

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I am not on twitter. It is a hell hole.

          I am keeping tabs of updates though.

          1. Goonsquad245
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            What do you mean a hell hole? If you get a big enough following you can quit your job and start an entirely 100% sustainable career copying and pasting who had the most SIB in home/away matches and getting people to pay for you to ‘reveal’ your team pre-deadline 😀

          2. Botman and Robben
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I do not get what you mean by Twitter being a hell hole.

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Troll nation

      5. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Most expensive forward in the game is the answer! - just need to wait for the posts on KdB and TAA and the reveals may begin

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          The question was who has the silliest running style

      6. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Who scored a hatty in GW1 last season

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          That's what I thought also.

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Did he get the last also?

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          "Who scored first and last hattie?"

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Who scored 2 Hattys then?

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

        Who is Man City’s most expensive player?
        Raheem

      8. Thug
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I saw that tweet but I was afraid to answer as I don't want to be banned from twitter 🙂

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      New FanTeam draft.

      Fabianski Mesllier
      VvD Laporte Tierney Dallas Vinagre/Mari
      Salah Sterling KdB Fernandes Soucek
      Antonio 4.0 4.0

      Sacrificing TAA for Sterling ain't worth it eh?

      1. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        how much was Mari and soucek? I think both could start next year at each club , both good in the air also. I don't play this game would be interested to see the match ups of prices

        1. Young Lingard
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I like the team though. Tierney if a wing back next year is great value

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            They are steals.

            Mari 4.0 and Soucek 4.5. Both are practically locked to be in my team.

            1. ritzyd
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Is Mari likely to play?

              1. Camzy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                When fit he's surely first choice. Just signed a new contract, Spanish, great passer. I think he's definitely locked in. Probably their first choice defense is Mustafi + Mari with Luiz deployed as part of a back 3 if they decide to play that way.

              2. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                FPL estimate he's back on 25th Sept, so 2 weeks into the season.

            2. circusmonkey
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Soucek won't be 4.5, maybe 5.5 or 6.

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                He's talking about fanteam, not fpl. Confuses me too as I have no idea what fanteam is, and care less!

          2. Lovren an elevator
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Tierney was playing as part of the back 3 I thought....

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Not his natural position. More likely Mari to play and Tierney to be wing-back. AMN to drop out. He might not even be at Arsenal next season...

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          For FPL Mari won't be ready at the start of the season. He was 4.5 last time and if priced the same could be essential when fit to play.
          Soucek started at 5m - if same, will prob be my 5th midf.

      2. Our Tiny Windows
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Antonio at 6.5 seems such good value. I’m playing with Werner and Antonio.

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Points for 90 minutes and Laporte?

        Maybe ok for minutes per match next season after recuperation and only 3 subs but I’d still worry that Ake is there to give him regular rests and that maybe he gets the same minutes as Walker say

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Extremely plausible. But it can work 2 ways:

          A. He's rested for matches and your sub defender steps up.
          B. He comes off after 60 mins, bagging clean sheet points, leaving Ake to concede late on!

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yep

            Still quite like the idea of Laporte but he needs a back up probs and arguably that increases his price by 0.5 in real terms

        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Points for 90 minutes only applies to mids and forwards. It's the extra point for winning the game that swings it for Laporte big time imo.

      4. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I'm looking at FanTeam just now. TBH I quite like that power four. With the 4.0 base price, it seems possible to get so much more than on FPL, particularly with Soucek at 4.5.

        My only worry is not having a playing bench forward. If Antonio misses a week, you won't be able to bring anyone on for him!

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          The more I mess around with the draft, the less I like the power 4 if I'm being honest. It hurts the team balance quite badly.

          Comparing for example:
          A) Sterling, Dallas, Tierney, Hirst
          B) Foden, TAA, Kean, Mari

          And B looks a lot better and more flexible. I just really want Sterling but seriously struggling to get rid of KdB, Salah or Fernandes given FanTeam's scoring system...

          1. DantheManinaPan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I've made a draft with Jesus over Sterling - this kind of solves the problem of finding you the extra cash for TAA and leaving you with options from the bench if a forward doesn't play....

            Jesus isn't quite the same class as Sterling though

            Obviously dependent on Aguero's return though!

    5. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Willian confirms departure from Chelsea. https://twitter.com/willianborges88/status/1292449036168056832

      Arsenal confirmation in the next few days? Are people actually considering him?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He will cost more and if Auba is a mid then no for me.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          And that's not including Coutinho!

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            But the depressing thing from an FPL perspective is it probably knocks Saka out of contention. He was looking so exciting too.

            1. Bun Rab
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Agreed this is a shame. Will be interesting to see Sakas price though as Artetea cleary likes him and can play him in midfield.

            2. Greek Freak
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Bad in real life too. Saka is an exciting prospect and Willian will curtail his development.

            3. FPL Theorist
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              There are going to be a lot of young players from the big clubs that we'll have to hope get sold or loaned to smaller clubs so they'll get decent minutes.

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                That's why I regret abandoning the 5 sub rule. It would have given minutes to a lot of these kids.

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  It lessons pep roulette though.

        2. Bun Rab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          He's started the last five seasons at either 7.0/7.5 so max 8 you would guess. Will he have a hand in set pieces? If yes then I may consider. Otherwise he is so greedy shooting i think he will take points away from Auba/Laca/Pepe.

      2. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Won't be on penalties so not really no.

    6. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      put these 3 prospects in order of best to worst FPL potential please..

      A. Ayling
      B. Joe Bryan
      C. Semi Ajayi

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Ayling, Ajayi, Bryan.

        But Dallas is the one I'm holding out for. If he's 4.5m he's straight in my team and not leaving.

        1. Lovren an elevator
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          there's a lot of talk of Dallas not being nailed though...

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I prioritise clean sheets so for me: A, C, B.

      3. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Only one I would consider is Ayling.

      4. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        As it is. Not sure i will go near any of them tbh.

      5. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Ayling and Dallas, Avl defenders are going to be 4.5 and might be worth considering. B and C can be forgotten.

        1. Lovren an elevator
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah true, I've been looking at Targetts stats since the restart, looking very good. Will he be nailed next season though!?

      6. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        ACB

    7. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Does the exit of Willian and Jorginho(exp) make Werner Chelsea' first choice penalty taker?
      For now I am looking at Ziyech ?8.5m? (with Pulisic injured and Havertz expensive/eased in) But Werner at 10.5m or under on penalties could mean restructuring.
      Does anyone have an idea on both the expected penalty order at this club and the price of Timo Werner ?
      I think Chelsea can get goals at better prices than that of top 4 rivals. But may opt for one player only.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Werner will defo be on penalties. His price is anyones guess at the moment.

        1. Young Lingard
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ah then thats surely someone to look at .
          Can't seem him drastically being priced higher than Jesus, Ings, Jimenez

      2. Our Tiny Windows
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Werner is going to get you 25 goals

        1. Chenku╰☆╮
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          he will flop like memphis..

    8. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Willian to Arsenal

      Here We Go -> https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1292487721798324225

      1. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        pepe, willian in its my minutes merry-go-round and I think neither will have set pieces. But great business by arsenal this one. Shame for Saka and Willock if one of these gets a loan. Fpl eyes are open. the former two maybe not

    9. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      From the current crop of midfielders and considering price rises and new additions possibly Havertz and the likes of Coutinho, then Willian at Arsenal, which value 7 to 9 mid would you be after?

      I will start, Grealish at 7.5

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Grealish at which club?

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Can't see him leaving Villa, the will price him out of a move. If they want in the region of £80m ehich has been reported in the current situation with probably a ridiculous 80% of the fee up front, not many teams going to afford that.

      2. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Foden

        1. R.C
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          And Greenwood if reclassified as Mid

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Foden a bit pricey if he is not going to be nailed IMO

          Sorry, should have perhaps stated nailed 7 to 9's.

      3. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Pulisic, Foden, Greenwood.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Greenwood if Sancho joins UTD?

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yes, if he's priced at the lower end. I can see him coming on for Sancho/Martial/Rashford as a regular supersub.

        2. Jay Jay Okocha
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Bingo

      4. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Ziyech I would say could be 8.5m I can't see anyone on that flank now Pedro and willian have gone.
        trossard and jota will be just under 7m
        Rashford or Son might surprise at 9m but I expect that not to be the case. I think Havertz will be above.
        I think if Villa bought say Watkins id look at Grealish but otherwise him Maddison etc no. Thiago might be cheap but he's probably the assist to the assister. Would love Sarr to join someone. Lo Celso could have a run (numbers not there yet)

        1. Young Lingard
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          PULISIC obviously when fit.
          Foden and Torres, Mahrez depends on price and preference for pep

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            You're looking at 3 Citizens with questionable playing time.

            I forgot Traore.

          2. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Pulisic's fitness is a worry. Out for 3 to 4 weeks. He cannot seem to stay fit.

      5. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Foden

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Nailed players? Was meant to add that to my post.

      6. Fit of Pique
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Good question. That's the price range I'm not seeing stand out picks at the moment.

        Grealish a good shout.

        I can't see the likes of Zaha (in years gone by) there at the moment, but I'm sure FPL will present at least a couple of options there.

    10. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      UCL Fantasy - would you make any changes to this team?

      Oblak - Gulacsi
      Laporte - Felipe - Lodi - Hateboer - Gosens
      KDB - Di Maria - Ilicic - Pasalic - Gnabry
      Lewandowski - Messi - Jesus

      Too bold to go with 4 Atalanta and 1 PSG? All the Atalanta guys have crazy attacking prowess...

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Messi to Neymar

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Lol, forgot about Neymar! Thanks - would offer a wider variety of premium captain options as well given that Messi and Lewandowski play on the same day.

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Sounds so fun 😀
          Having messi in fantasy game must be fun. Goals every GW

          1. Greek Freak
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Lewandowski has been that guy so far - Messi has been a bit underwhelming in the Champions League this season. 34 points compared to Lewa's 83!

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Wow 😮

              1. Greek Freak
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Just a further point to indicate how insane Lewandowski has been this season - that's 11.9 points per game and 5 double digit hauls in 7 games, all in a format without bonus points!

                1. Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  LOL
                  Sounds like he's essential 😀

                  Bloody hell !

                2. GreennRed
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Lewandowski is the king. Not sure about Atalanta's attacking prowess. Ilicic's stats very skewed by his 4 goal flyer in the last game. Have a look at recovered ball stats too, the one off games are unlikely to be goal fests. If Atalanta are beaten you could be taking hits for semi finals so maybe just 3 Atalanta or 4 with Djimitsi as an enabler. UCL aside the Bayern v Barca game should be a cracker.

                  1. Greek Freak
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    I have both my chips so I won't be taking any hits - will wildcard for the semis and play limitless wildcard for the final (or vice-versa). Point taken about Ilicic and recovered ball stats though, will do more research.

                    1. el polako
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Do some research on Ilicic - last time I heard he was battling mental demons and missed a lot of football not sure if he is (ever will be) back.

                      1. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Thanks - I see he's left the Atalanta camp and is unlikely to be back for these games.

                        If only the UCL game had a decent flag system!

                        1. GreennRed
                          • 12 Years
                          3 years, 7 months ago

                          The site is brutal. Still has players like Werner and and Toussard even though they've moved to other clubs!

                        2. Greek Freak
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 7 months ago

                          Indeed - I know about the major moves obviously but it's very annoying to have to research each individual player to find out if they're still available!

                        3. el polako
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 7 months ago

                          Sad story really, apparently always been hypochondriac and the whole Covid-19 pàndemic triggered him badly.

                  2. Greek Freak
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Crazy to go with double Atalanta defence you think? It's not like I expect a double clean sheet vs. PSG, but they're both very attacking and they could be in amongst the goals if/when Atalanta score.

                    1. GreennRed
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Hard to know. PSG have only conceded 3 goals in 8 games, keeping 6 cleansheets. I think they'll both score low. Was thinking Atalanta a few weeks ago but now think PSG bigger match experience will get to to an Athletic defeat in semi final.

                      1. Greek Freak
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Thanks. Might switch one of the Atalanta defenders to someone else.

          2. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Lewa is awesome got 4 assists and 2 goals only vs chelsea.

            He deserves this year ballon d'or especially if they win CL

            1. Hy liverpool
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              *3 goals.

            2. Greek Freak
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Definitely agree - and gutted I didn't have him yesterday in my team. But nothing I could have done - the game restarted in the middle of a gameweek that he was originally injured for!

            3. el polako
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              They not giving one this year.

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

              They have cancelled the award this season sadly due to France league i guess ....

              Lewa definitely deserved it

      2. milanista10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Di Maria is suspended for the quarters, I’d change him 😀

        Messi/Neymar is a dilemma, think I’ll go for Ney myself to get myself a good captain for the first day!

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ffs, the flag system is completely useless 😀

          My thinking too re. Neymar vs. Messi.

          1. milanista10
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah the flag system in this game is rubbish, people are still picking up the likes of Tousart who is no longer at Lyon - I wonder when will they make him red!

      3. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Way too many Atalanta in my opinion. PSG are the favorites and you’ll struggle with only 5 FTs for semis if Atalanta gets knocked out.

        Ilicic and Di Maria aren’t available. I’d try to find a way to upgrade Di Maria to Sterling by downgrading some of the Atalanta players starting with Ilicic.

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yep, see above re. Ilicic - haven't decided on the replacement yet.

          FTs aren't an issue because I've got both wildcards left - will play one for the semis and then one for the final!

          1. Klaren
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Actually I was almost certain Di Maria was suspended (pretty sure I saw suspended next game while watching ithe Dortmund game live a few months ago) but he is in all expected lineups I can find so seems like he actually isn’t.

            So ignore my comment about Di Maria.

            1. Greek Freak
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Strange - Milanista above also thinks he's suspended. In any case the PSG game is first so I'll just wait for the lineups and see. But I might try to change him into Sterling anyway.

            2. milanista10
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Ha? I’m quite sure he is suspended! Unless they changed the rules which shouldn’t be the case..

              Anyway it’s the first game of the quarters, we can see the lineups before we finalize 😀

              1. Greek Freak
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Yeah that's not an issue - the Atletico game is a bigger worry now.

                1. milanista10
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  I just saw your post below.. that’s surely a bigger worry.. let’s see what they will do now!

                2. milanista10
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Ohh and looking at your team again now, I think I’d want a Sterling vs that Lyon defense 😀

                  1. Greek Freak
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Yeah might try to turn Di Maria into Sterling regardless, we'll see.

                    1. Greek Freak
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Or Gnabry to Sterling - it might look like I trust Atalanta's defence given my team but it's only for their attacking potential!

                      1. milanista10
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        I can’t blame you, I’ve watched a lot of Atalanta this season & they are very attacking (we lost 0-5 to them at one point)!! Gosens & Gomez are in my team for now & I very much hope they progress further.

      4. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Hmm, plans might have to change, two unnamed Atletico 'individuals' (not sure if that necessarily means players) have tested positive for Covid.

        "The club will coordinate the new schedules with Uefa and as soon as there is a new plan it will be made public. It also calls for maximum respect for the identity of the two positive cases." - as per the BBC.

    11. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Liverpool signing Tsimikas from Olympiakos for 15mil. Robbo minutes won't be that sure next season imo. This left back is great and very promising.

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You watch Greek league ?

        1. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I'm greek

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I'm polish but I dont waste time watching polish league.

            Can you elaborate on the new LFC left back ? Any comparisons to players widely known ?

            1. Shark Team
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Very attacking with lots of runs upfront in the side. Very good crossing and tackling. He a Jordi Alba style LB imo.

              1. Shark Team
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Also very fast. Could also say that he has almost the same attributes like Robbo.

                1. el polako
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Thanks.

      2. Bada Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        15 mil sounds a bit too much for this guy, if Liverpool wouldn't pay Norwich 10 mil for Jamal Lewis...

        1. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Jamal Lewis isn't that good believe me. Tsimikas has proved his quality against big teams like Bayern Tottenham Arsenal(watch this game).

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Could be €15m.

          Even at £15m that would be the going rate for young players. Pocket change nowadays.

          1. Shark Team
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            11.75 mil £ finally which is near 13mil euros... Not bad for Liverpool

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Can he play left wing?

              1. Shark Team
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Maybe he can play as a wing back... But in 3-4-3 ,not in 3-5-2

      3. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Great bargain for Liverpool, having signed a way better player than Lewis for cheaper. I wouldn’t get Lewis for free to be honest.

        1. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I agree with you. As always someone who is English is highlighted more than others even if he is not worth it.

      4. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Good to see. Hopefully he's a success, looking forward to seeing him play.

        1. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Me too. I think he won't get lots of minutes from the start but Klopp knows how to introduce new players in his own -slow but effective- way.

    12. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on this UCL Fantasy team?

      Ederson (3.7GK)

      Felipe - Kimmich - Walker - Lodi - Djimsiti

      KDB - Sterling - Di María - M.Llorente - Gueye

      Mbappe - Jesús - Lew

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Mbappe is injured, no?

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Could switch him to a cheaper forward and have a playing 2nd goalkeeper for example

    13. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone else think TV will be very important this season?

      Was not chasing TV last season and did ok but this season could be a good strategy maybe.
      Go for ~105M mid season and afford 4 big mid heavy heaters(Salah/Mane,KDB,Bruno,Sterling,Auba maybe)

      1. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Every season, it always look like TV will be important at the beginning. However, at the season end, I always found the winner and teams in top rank usually did not do much transfer and have not so high TV too.

      2. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        It is normally the premiums who do not see much price rises unless you have a case of Mane cheaper than Salah. If KDB is at 12.0 you will see him vary between 0.1 up and then down by 0.1 for instance.

        Wheeling and dealing with cheaper players are the ones which are used to build value IMO as the transfers in and outs on cheaper players are more compared to premiums.

        Plus building value on a premium could mean nadda if he stays in your team most of the season and once you want to sell him you may lose value depending on his selling price vs cost price.

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Never said i will build TV on premiums.
          I know where the TV is build, that's why i said build TV and then go for 4 premium mids.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Understood you wrong then. I am going to chases the bandwagons to pump up my TV. Two or three weeks one bandwagon and sell for next cheapest one. Repeat....

            1. Our Tiny Windows
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              This.

            2. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Yeah,thats the plan.
              Feel this season the puck is gonna be with premium mids,the more the better.

              Plan to get 4 if i can afford mid season,as i always(C) mid they can easy score 50+points in any GW with 3-5-2.

              Never scared of forwards even when they were doing very well,didnt own Vardy but had Jimmy and Ings maybe for 2-3 GWs each.

              If premium mids start to haul and you dont own them you are in trouble.

    14. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Does anyone know how to get data on last season from the FPL site? Copy and paste doesn't take the names. Just an excel export, I don't want a whole API set up extravaganza. Thank you.

        1. circusmonkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Thank you, not quite what I was after but useful.

          I did some quick Excel calcs, posted below.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Premier fantasy tools

    15. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Without mentioning the obvious, Bruno and Auba. Can people name players who have hit the ground running in the PL?

      1. Goonsquad245
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Costa, Sanchez, Zlatan are three that spring immediately to mind

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Long Long time ago. Not so much Zlatan.
          Now name the guys who haven't.

          1. Goonsquad245
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Is there a point you’re trying to make?

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              See below. Just wondering if it not a bad idea for clubs to hold on yo cash this season.

              1. Goonsquad245
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Ah. I guess price inflation has been such that £35-40m now does not get you what it did a few years ago. There are a lot of gambles at those prices now (and even at the higher prices - Pepe at arsenal!)

                Proven talent will still be OK IMO - not sure whether I include Werner or Ziyech etc in that example, but Sancho is definitely one I’d expect to have a v good season if he joined.

                1. Eze Really?
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Yep. Sancho born in UK so not quite the same. Still has to prove himself in PL though. I think gambling should be reined in a little. let the money stay in the UK for a year. Madrid and Barca are relying on us buying their Chaff . Please don't IMO

          2. Amey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Everyone United have signed post SAF era except Zlatan & Bruno

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Aguero's first 20 mins were as a sub, and what a twenty minutes they were

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          For sure, but recently not so many. I think coming in the Jan window helps. They have a taster for a full season to come.

        2. OPTA FPL
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Still remember his first goal, his rocket shoot...

      3. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Sure there are many if you go back and have a proper look but current

        Aguero, Firmino, Martial?

        Data available from players past would most likely surface more. Also lots of players which would have had half a season joining in the winter window. If you dig enough many will pop up.

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          The reason I bring it up Foo is not many stand out. With le "failure rate" so high (Taking a season to get going) is it worth paying 40 mil upwards for players when the future could still be bleak.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Transfers always are going to fail or work out irrespective of £.

            You just need to look at cases like Robertson. Cost LFC absolute peanuts at £8m and now he is one of the best left attacking fullbacks in the world.

            Benteke £32m which was a motherload around that time and he flopped and we ended up selling him at a loss one season later.

            Least since Klopp arrived it has been more quality vs quantity. Before Klopp arrived it was quantity over quality season after season. His worst signing has been Shaqiri but at least he did not cost an arm and leg.

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Minamino Shaq Keita. We spoke before. Funny I cannot remember Shaq playing badly for Jurgen. I must say, not my cup of tea for sure.

              1. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                I remember Shaq playing exceptionally well and Klopp praising him and being sorry for transferring him off for tactical reasons. Something must have happened off the pitch, no idea what.

                1. Eze Really?
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  I wonder what went on. He seemed happy at Anfield celebrations.

              2. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Shaqiri was nothing but backup but we could have instead just given one of the youngsters a run. Oh well.

                Keita has had many injury issues and has taken ages to settle. Last year I read up he still never took up English at the time. He looks to be much more involved now so fingers cross he delivers a good season this time round.

                Minamino only joined winter window this season. Another backup at around £7m so hit or miss, nothing ventured nothing gained if he fails.

                1. Eze Really?
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  I agree with all you say. Goes back to settling in. Keita can be a world beater if he tows the line. Jury out on Minamuno

                  1. FOO FIGHTER
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Yep

      4. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Morata.

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Biiiiig Smile!

          1. Greek Freak
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Lol I'm not joking 😀

            Goal and assist in his first game, hat trick soon after. As late as November of his first season he was 3rd among forwards for ppg after Aguero and Kane.

            The decline to the Morata we're more familiar with came later.

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Sorry. I will rephrase. Having a good 1st season. Puki in the same mould!

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

        Ruud van Nistelrooy....at his 1st season @ MU he scored 20+ G.

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

          in PL...don't remember how many in CL - FA Cup

        2. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          You must be as old as me. (smile)

      6. SouthCoastSaint
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Papisse Cisse was absolute gold when he joined in January

      7. Jolly Good
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Salah

    16. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/09/ole-gunnar-solskjaer-impressed-anthony-martials-new-found-strength-13106350/?ito=newsnow-feed

      Agreed. I've been saying this he's looking like a different man this season ... 🙂

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He is growing up. I think we forget he came as a baby.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Definitely !
          It's Amazingly weird to think he's 24 rashford is 22 Greenwood is 18 😀

          Seems like Tony & Rash are around forever ....

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Sure he is that old?

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Yep
              95 born

          2. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            you are right!

    17. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I did some quick calcuations using my advanced copy and paste data scraping method. It confirmed what I have read on here before: the value is at the back and midfield. The value calcuations are points per million (ppm) but based on end of season prices, because I can't be bothered to work the starting prices out.

      Defenders:
      Top 10 season points scorers (average): 26.7ppm
      2nd 10: 23.3
      3rd 10: 21.1

      Midfielders:
      Top 10: 20.3
      2nd 10: 20.1
      3rd 10: 17.9

      Strikers:
      Top 10: 19.5
      2nd 10: 17.7
      3rd 10: 14.9

      The 10 best value defenders had a higher average ppm than the best value forward (Danny Ings).
      Defenders ranked 21-30 for total points had a higher ppm than the top 10 forwards.
      The top 10 midfielders have a very similar ppm to the next 10 midfielders: You get what you pay for - or at least at the end of the season, the prices are consistent.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        5-5-0 ?

        Can we go for it ?? 😀

        Seriously. Strikers don't give anything nowadays. Don't think of a premium striker whom I can © and stay asure of a haul except Kun.

        Whereas Raz Salad Mane Bruno KDB, even Taa looks so great options

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Just had a quick squint at the top 4 scorers in the game last season 🙂

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        So essentially you have to captain a midfielder about 30% of the time to make up the difference relative to defenders?

        1. circusmonkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          No, you captain a midfielder all the time as the numbers are points per million and the midfielders are more expensive.

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

            Sorry, I meant each particular midfielder has to be captained 30% of the time (or more) to raise his output from around 20 ppm to around 26. If you were going to captain three mids about 1/3 of the time each, they would each produce enough extra points through captaincy to justify their price.

            On the other hand, if you were just going to perma-captain Salah for example, then in theory you should probably max out your spending on defenders before you buy any other expensive mids that you're not going to captain.

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

              Here's maybe one way to think about it. You have a budget of 83.5m, not including 4 bench fodder. If you get 30 ppm for your 83.5m, you get 2505 points. So if you can average 30 ppm across all your players, then you are right up there at the top.

              Based on last year's start of season prices, if you bought Pope (4.5), TAA (7.0), VVD (6.5), Doherty (6.0), and Lundstram (4.0) set-and-forget, you'd have got 869 points for 28m (31.0 ppm for those five). With hindsight, it's not too hard to achieve the 30 ppm goal for defenders and GK.

              If you also bought KDB (9.5) and perma-captained him, that's another 502 points, or 517 if you played TC on him in DGW30+. That's 54.4 ppm without any VC points. This makes up for not being able to get 30 ppm for other attackers easily.

              That would leave you 46m left to spend on 5 other attackers (4 mids/1 fwd, 3 mids/2 fwds, or 2 mids/3 fwds). These would only have to give you 1119 points, which is 24.3 ppm. The combination of Martial, Willian, Grealish, Ings, and Jimenez easily meets the 24.3 ppm target, giving 26.7 ppm (909 points for 34m), but it doesn't exhaust the budget. You'd have to figure out a way to spend an additional 12m to get 210 more points, by buying more expensive players that provide somewhat worse value. You can also add in the benefit of chips, auto-subs, and vice-captains to cover some of the 210 points.

            2. circusmonkey
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Well the top 10 defenders include 4 Sheff U and Tark, so not the most expensive. Also the top 3 are Liverpool which would stop you getting a mid when you have the cash. Also you have to pick 5 mids, you can't pick 10 defenders so 'justifying' doesn't come into it.

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                He's talking about the principle, setting up a structure and adhering to the price points. But I agree with you when you look more closely at the individuals involved. Sheff United defenders will be more expensive this time, so the equivalent will be Leeds defenders. Can you be sure Leeds will replicate the form of Sheff U? I can't.

                Burnley have a good track record that dipped due to EL qualification 2 seasons ago, causing their prices to start off low last season. They too will be more expensive. So will Wolves. So the principle only works if you correctly anticipate where those bargain defenders will come from.

                My position is that I have no idea at the start of the season and need to wait for the season to settle to see who next season's Wolves or Blades defenders are. What I can be confident of is the likely points haul of the Liverpool defence (assuming Alisson doesn't get crocked again), so that's where I'm focusing.

      3. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        It has always been the case. The clue is choose a captain that falls out of the norm and spread the remainder of money to propagate the most points per million.

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

        Help please

        There are fewer forwards in the game and squads have 2553 structure. In this case would we expect less depth in forwards and the 10:10:10 comparison is perhaps biased against them - greater depth in midfield leading to better depth in value?

        I recognise preeminence of value in defence but I also see something much tighter in attack. Who are the best 8 value attackers in the game on the season per million?

        What happens if you go for this? Curious

        Top 10 defenders
        Top 10 mids
        Top 6 forwards

        1. circusmonkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Good point but you've still got to nail the picks. I suppose people emerge, I got on Ings quite early last season but that fits in with spending less up top. It is too late to redo the calcs - bed time.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            🙂

      5. Hedge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Take a look at my series of articles of player value, I took ppm and looked at balancing it over the squad

        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/08/08/player-value-2019-20-review/

    18. Pia06rc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Price prediction for Dwight Gayle anyone?

      1. Lloyd Xmas
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        4.5

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        6

      3. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        5.5

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

        5.0

      5. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Whatever it is it'll be too expensive.................

      6. The Sociologist
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        6 I’d imagine, unless Newcastle sign another striker.

      7. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        4m

      8. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        3.5m

    19. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ideas on Arsenal Loanee price next season? Just watched some moments of him. Looks special.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Saliba

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Don't trust the Arsenal defence and also too much rotation at the back for them so depends whether Arteta settles a set of players. Also not sure if he will continue with 3 or switch to 4 again at the back.

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Luiz can only play in a 3 so Arteta is forced to stick with a formation he probably does not like. He has moved from possession base to long ball to quick front runners. Something Luiz can do to be fair. It has worked for Arsenal too be fair.

      2. The Sociologist
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Not sure yet, wait to see how he (and that Arsenal side) settle into the new season.

    20. RubberDucky
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I just dont see the need to risk selecting a West Brom defender/Goalkeeper unless the budget endsup dictating your last selections.

        Interesting piece and info noted.

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Reality is that there are only about 4 very good defences in the PL. Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Burnley.

          The rest are up and down. Spurs and Arsenal may do better next season given their changes in management. You would expect Burnley to revert to the mean and not do quite as well as last season.

          So when looking at FPL defenders you are better off just choosing from these elites. Liverpool and Man City can keep CS against any side in the PL so are effectively fixture proof except against each other.

          GK is a different decision due to save points.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            United as a very good defence? Strictly a late season phenomenon really and no better than Wolves who also came late.

            Had you been on United Wolves early season it wouldn’t have been too pretty no?

            Manchester City options in defence?

            1. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Man Utd kept 13 CS last season. 7 the season before and 19 the season before that. 2018/19 season was a blip by their usual standards where you would expect them to keep around 12-14 CS a season.

              Man City options in defence are Laporte and Ake. They will play the majority of games.

              I am looking at a defence of Fabianski - Laporte, TAA, AWB and Boly.

              1. Flair
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Manchester City are currently in the market for a top center-back to partner Laporte according to a reliable reporter. Ake will likely be backup to the LB and Laporte position, which isn't good for Laporte as an FPL asset. Increased rotation risk makes me wonder if I'd even have him at 6.0.

                I like the AWB shout, he's really improved his offensive game recently. Just a shame that United's defense feels suspect to me (Matic is declining, De Gea letting in schoolboy errors, Lindelof not feeling like a great partner to Maguire) so I'd be wary if he was any higher than 5.5.

              2. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                You’re seriously looking at form over 3 seasons at United back to when they had a diffferent manager! It’s only the 19 season that makes them elite if you’re looking at season value - plenty within range of 13

                Ake and Laporte very likely compete for one position both being left footed and will eat into each other’s minutes

                See you snuck Boly in.

          2. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Wolves have a lot of merit especially if they are not in Europe next season. With rest between games their press and possession game should lead to a decent amount of cs. I think there may be value in Brighton defence too if they get a bit luckier with injuries next season, crystal Palace as well should they have a decent off season and a bit better luck with injuries also.

      • goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        What's the name of that twitter account who has correctly stated which week fpl goes live? Something Rodgers

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Brendan

      • RubberDucky
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Stupid Question Alert

          Im trying to find a stats table which compares every players starting price, their points total and their PPM.

          I couldnt find a table that showed it or the options to create such a table.

          Is it possible?

          1. Our Tiny Windows
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Ffstuff.co.uk

        • HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          If you change your email while re-registering for next season will your rank history of previous seasons still be visible?

          Or will it be completely wiped off and start with a fresh new rank history page from 2020-21 onwards ?

          Asking this since ive never changed email before and look forward to doing iit

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Don't do it until you know for sure. Losing your rank history would suck.

            1. HurriKane
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              yh would suck especially since i finished inside top10k in 5 of last 6 seasons

            2. Hy liverpool
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              I changed my email couple of times before... Won't lose your rank history don't worry.

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

            Unless FPL have the worst coders in existence you will keep the game history.

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

              Also surely tons of people have changed their email through the years. We would have heard of it if people lost their histories.

              1. HurriKane
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                makes sense. cheers

          3. BenjaniMwaruwari
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I changed my mail a couple of years back and kept my history. So I believe you have nothing to worry about.

            1. HurriKane
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              ahh cheers mate. just needed confirmation 😉

          4. The Mighty One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Just re-register for the new season with the usual email...be sure it is locked in and restarted properly...then change your email.