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. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ethan Ampadu will likely be loaned to Premier League newboys Fulham next season.

    The Welsh defender spent last season on loan from Chelsea with RB Leipzig, but struggled for game time in the Bundesliga.

    (Source: The Athletic)

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

      Fulham loaned a Man U defender last time - was it Fosu-Mensah? Didn't pull up any trees FPL-wise.

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He has started 7 games as CB for RBL but listed as a mid in FPL @ 4.5.

      Not a bad shout as CB @ 4.0

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

        Pretty sure he plays deep-lying mid for Chelsea and Wales. Good player. But likely listed as MID and thus not viable as an FPL asset.

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

    Watching the European games (ucl and europa) on British tv channels or streams has made me realise the double standards of English commentators/analysts..the same commentators who diss a club when they play domestically, turn Partizan in favour of them when they play in Europe because apparently they represent a country...neutral commentary is a dying art today which is a shame

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It’s always been that way, and yet I would say the English do it much better than, say, the Turks, who are so partisan when the National team plays, it’s embarrassing.

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

    Query about Liverpool defence

    Is Gomez likely to be nailed at 5.5 alongside VVD or does he job share? Looking at minutes from last season I can’t remember whether his reduced minutes were down to injury or indecision.

    Thinking of week 1 budgets if mostly nailed I’d quite possibly be prepared to take his 5.5 value with minimal attacking returns in that defence in the hope/expectation of upgrading to a premium once midseason budgets kick in.

    Also slightly curious about the almost zero chat about Mane. It is clearly the case that Mo has not even possibly regressed 🙂 Is that why he’s out of the picture? Was his drop off post restart any more significant than other Liverpool assets? Before that he and Mo were a fag paper apart.

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

      He wont be 5.5m anymore, 6-6.5

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He certainly won't be 6.5 and it's just possible they'll keep him at 5.5.

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

      Gomez did miss games due to injury. He's never been 100% nailed but his position seemed to get more secure and Matip less as the season progressed. For that reason, I'd expect him to come in at 6.0 this time. I had him and VVD after I foolishly sold TAA to move money upfront. This time, if there's 0.5m diff between VVD and Gomez, I'll take the big guy, but if it's a million or more and I need cash for elsewhere, I could be persuaded to start with Gomez.

      Mane - yeh, strange. Not much noise re Salah either.

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

        6.0 would rule him out likely for me - I imagine I’d fall the very dubious charms of AWB/Maguire again first. I was just hoping his modest overall returns and slightly insecure starts might make him a value option again. Wishful thinking I suppose.

        93 points from 22 starts and doesn’t feature highly on ppm tab or season value tab. Wishful thinking perhaps

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

          I’m obviously doing a lot of wishful thinking 🙂

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Gomez is developing into a very good defender, looks nailed but he's in that iffy value area where going up or down may reward more. Mane is great, especially if he comes in a half under Mo... 12.

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

        Yep I’m hoping Mane might just sneak in at 0.5 cheaper than Mo

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I think he will, if only because of penaltues for Salah

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

            When I looked into the astonishing number of United penalties last season I was shocked to discover how few Liverpool got. Hadn’t clocked that. Pens were negligible really for Mo when looking at returns and factoring in value

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

      Matip was going to be VVD's fultime partner at the back this past season but injury ruled him out. He started and finished 7 of the 9 opening fixtures.

      Lovren filled in for a while as Klopp was taking it easy with Gomez who was still recovering from his very bad ankle injury in 18/19.

      With Matip becoming injury ridden, Gomez will be 1st choice alongside VVD next season. There are rumours of an exit for Matip and also rumours of LFC's interest in White from Brighton due to the home grown quota. Gomez definitely nailed now next to VVD.

      Real life you want both Salah and Mane in your team. FPL it is advisible to only have one. Salah 100% the FPL asset to have, especially if their has been a hint that they will cost exactly the same.

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

        Oh and see Gomez at 5.0 to be honest .

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

          Surely he’s 5.5 anyway

          (That post 30 holiday by Liverpool could be an FPL gift knocking 0.5 off prices almost across the board.)

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

        Yep

        Saw the alleged interest in White. This is the first possible confirmation of a comment I made a while back - that Bielsa at Leeds is going to produce a string of hot properties for the big boys

        Matip out - would feel very bold by LFC - might even make me consider a 6.0 Gomez if prices etc dictated.

        Ducking the Mo conversation as a happy owner of cheapie Mane in calendar year 2019

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

          Matip has missed far to many matches for LFC in his career to injury. At 29 time is right to cash in.

          Reason why LFC are after White is because of the homegrown rules and is why we wanted to sign Lewis from Norwich.

          Read the homegrown rules could change sooner or later limiting PL teams to 13 non homegrown players due to brexit so the dynamic of the game will change on a massive scale if this happens.

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

            Yes

            I’ve been wondering about Brexit and transfers. Raised the point about there possibly being a small window left to bring in emerging Euro talent such as Hoever.

            If it’s a hard Brexit home grown players such as White could become gold dust as the Hoevers may become impossible due to work permit rulings.

            We’re approaching the same point from different angles. I’m just assuming current Euro players will retain the right to play here - think that’s the very very strong probability. Any Brexit deal will prioritise right of Europeans in the UK and vice versa

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

              I guess it's all a bit of an unknown just now. I'm proceeding on the assumption that current and new contracts have to be honoured, so any major re-evaluation of transfers and youth players will affect next season, not this one (or at least not this transfer window: the winter window could be fruity if it coincides with a bitter no-deal Brexit).

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

      VVD is the expensive one due to attacking points. Gomez can share with Matip so a risk and maybe waste of a Pool place.
      Salah will be on my team sheet come season start. He just has buckets of chances compared to Mane and I personally think his conversion will go up and his shots will drop a little.

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

        I'm committed to triple Reds at the back. If Gomez is nailed and a full 1m cheaper than Virg, I think I'd take him. The reduction in attacking points could probably be more than compensated further up the pitch.

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

          Triple? Never done that before for any team. Seems a bit red/black at the Casino but could give you an early boost if it works.

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

            It's certainly and all-or-nothing approach. I should add that I'm in a weekly cash league. No prizes for coming a consistent second.

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

              Out of curiosity do you weight your selections more to cash League than OR?

              I might have to forget your opinions on here if so 🙂

              Looking for a cash league to join to add interest next time. But slightly worried by post a week or so back about pay outs even when organiser came recommended on here. Not sure where to look in real life

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

                It can get tricky. This season there was no real conflict until GW38+ when I knew I'd blown my chance to win my seasonal league so took a big risk with hits to win the week. Failed.

                Where I really blew it was the season before - by March I knew I was not going to win my seasonal league so focussed 100% on the weekly league. Every other week I'd do a mini-wildcard to give myself a decent chance of winning the cash 50% of the time. My OR took a massive hammering which drags my current average down by an unfeasible amount.
                But really, I'm never aiming to be in the Top 10K or whatever in the world and gain kudos from this FFS community - I'm just trying to win my seasonal and weekly ML.

                Unfortunately, due to Covid the pub that runs my ML is close to bankruptcy and I might find myself looking to join a cash league online with all the attendant dangers. I'm following the fate of that thread's league as well.

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

                  Thinking about it the ideal online cash league is one that does weekly or monthly pay outs - less danger of losing the lot

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

                    True, and I hope they can receive/pay out via debitcard as PayPal doesn't accept my country.

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

                Always OR for me. I participated in two cash leagues last season and despite a period during and shortly after lockdown when communication ceased from the admins and participants started to get a little worries, both admins to their credit paid up all the prizes on time and in full.

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

      Point in VVD Robbo Taa Doherty is their attacking prowess IMO.

      Gomez doesn't even go ahead on corners. Probably most boring Pool pick !
      I'd rather pick a Leeds wing back over him for 0.5 less or VVD for 1 more

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

        It was just yesterday mate that you were saying how boring you’re becoming in FPL. Obviously you’ve woken up in a frisky mood 🙂

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

          Ha ha ha 😀

          When the game starts and i get a red arrow you can see me taking usual hits too !

          LOL

          VVD is almost guarantee for 5 goals + 15-17 CS a season.

          Probably the key is to get those Taa Robbo VVD Doherty Azpi/AWB/Tierney and stick with them.

          I just thought about it. One of my ML rival, who had Taa Robbo Salah Jimenez etc throughout the season. I kept swapping them around. Thankfully i just got better of him in the end.

          Maybe key is keeping hold of those premium defenders throughout the season

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

        The more serious point is that strictly from a week 1 budget point of view a nailed Gomez has a decent logic. Not arguing about your choices when there’s a sizeable budget but life is a little different in week 1 - the compromise on Gomez may just be a smart way to fit in the mids you want early on for example when it’s only 100 mill in play

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

          Yeh, I think if I had TAA and Robbo, I could live with a boring Gomez at the right price! But anyway, for me, my defender's first priority is to get a clean sheet.

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

          Was stuck in a meeting.

          I agree with your 100m point. But he's Nothing but a transfer waiting to happen IMO. Someone like Boly Jonny can outscore him even though playing for a lesser team (with all due respect)

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

            Transfer poor but WC not?

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

              Agree
              With an early WC we can deal with that yes.

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

      Gomez should be first choice if fit and I would think he’ll be £5.5m so might be worth considering if you fancy Pool for clean sheets at the start.

    8. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      5.5 or 6, just enough to not be interesting.

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

    Well WBA in EPL...
    Where is Tony Pulis these days...Is he still coaching???

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

      Not sure but he's 1.78m tall if that helps.

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

        And you can't teach that !

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

    Does anyone have a good article/website on distribution of squad value (price points)? Interested to see what a good setup could be.

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

      It's easy enough to knock up drafts yourself just using the FPL table re value (season)

    2. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm planning something along these lines:
      GK: 9.5m
      Defenders: 26m
      Mids: 43.5m
      Forwards: 21m

      Keepers: - 9.5m (5.0 GK, 4.5 GK)
      Defenders: 26m (7.0D, 6.0D, 5.0D, 4.0D, 4.0D)
      Midfielders: 43.5M (12.0M,11.0M, 8.0M, 7.0M, 5.5M)
      Forwards: 21m (9.0F, 7.5F, 4.5F)

      My aim is to set-up initially with some players at key price points that should enable me to switch between players in a bracket depending on form/injury/fixtures etc.

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

        That's pretty orthodox. I'd just point out that if you have a 5m keeper, are you really going to rotate him? I'd go either 2x4.5 keepers to rotate of 5m+ keeper with a 4m patsy.

        1. ClassiX
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Absolutely happy to go that way - if we get a Pope and Ryan or Henderson situation again (for example) where they all started at 4.5m. The 5.0m this year assumes Pope or Henderson will be priced higher.

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

            They could be 5.5, although if Hendo stays at Blades he could be an enticing 5m.
            5.0m is generally a dead-zone unless a keeper is mis-priced or moves after the prices are out.
            Rule of thumb - 5.5-6 is quality, 4.5 is cheap n cheerful.

            1. ClassiX
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              I saw some article on Skysports mentioning that United were negotiating new salary with Hendo, but wanted him to spend another season at Sheffield.

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

                That's quite interesting actually. The report says Man U are offering him a contract on 100K per week, and then they'll loan him back to Blades if they stump up the full amount.
                Whilst that would be way way over their wage structure, in effect they'd be paying 5m to borrow him for a year. Given that the alternative would be paying maybe 1.5m in wages and say 2.5m in transfer fee for someone far inferior, it would probably be in Blades' interest to go along with it - the difference in prize money in final PL placing should more than cover it.
                It would also give Man U a year to find a suitor for DDG and see if Hendo can sustain his form for more than one season. Hendo gets silly money and a guarantee to be Man U #1 in a year if he earns it.

                1. ClassiX
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  I agree - can't see how they can pick up any semi-decent GK at less than 5m at the moment (Henderson is currently valued at around 20m and Krul, for example, is valued at 4m according to this: https://www.transfermarkt.com/premier-league/marktwerte/wettbewerb/GB1/plus//galerie/0?pos=Torwart&detailpos=&altersklasse=alle).

                  Should be good business for both teams and Hendo keeps getting first team minutes.

  6. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Wolves punished for FFP breach

    Wolves have been punished for their breach of UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.

    The Premier League club will not receive any ban from European competitions.

    But they will only be allowed to register 23 players if they are in the Champions League next term

    Wolves had losses greater than 30 million euros over the past year, which is higher than UEFA's "break-even requirement."

    The club also has to pay a 200,000 euros fine.

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

      Luckily Wolves’ squad is well below 23 players. Sure I’ve seen 12 tops.

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

        EPL rules state 25 player squad needs to be registered.

        Limit of 17 *non homegrown* players.

        If their squad registration is reduced to 23 that will limit them to 15 non homegrown players which becomes a slight problem for them.

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

          Sorry to be ignorant but who are the Wolves "home grown" players.
          Coady, Gibbs White, Doherty, Ruddy ????

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

            Not sure but they will be forced to register two less of non homegrown players so signing foreign players will be out of the question for Wolves if their squad is reduced to 23 as they will not be able to register them by the look of things with their current squad.

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

      It might have been an issue were they to be in the EL where they might use more fringe players, but if they qualify for the CL they'll put out stronger teams, won't they?
      And if they don't win, the EL, I suppose this punishment carries over to the next time they qualify for Europe.

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

    Who has seen Sancho play last season? I have seen him in an England shirt but not seen any Dortmund matches. His stats are clearly very good but can anyone confirm a really positive 108 GBP mil eye test?
    I look at Greenwood and for what I have seen, he is what I call, a positive eye test.

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

      At that fee I think it is crazy to sign Sancho. UTD have a tendency of brainfart moves in the transfermarket ridiculously overpaying for players and then those players eventually finding themselves on holiday.

      Will be very surprised if the transfer goes through in view of the financial outlay while clubs are facing massive financial losses due to the current episode we live in.

      The fee upfront alone for Sancho is a recipe for disaster tbf. Between 50 to 70% upfront of the fee has been reported which Dortmund are requesting.

      Not sure why UTD would be risking that amount of cash when Greenwood seems to be the next big thing.

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

        Woodward and brainfarts go together like a horse and carriage. No reason to think anything will change. But I'm a huge fan of Greenwood and think it will be a big shame if Sancho's arrival knocks him back.

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

          Yes, Greenwood is a great prospect and signing Sancho will stagnate his development.

          I am a Pool fan and someone like Greenwood will fit in perfectly for Klopp due to his versatility. Sneaky bid incoming. Ha ha.

          Jokes aside, I am excited about Brewster though. If he does not go on loan I reckon he will push Origi down the pecking order this coming season.

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

            Yeh, Origi needs to move on. He had his day as a legend but he'll never get enough gametime at Liverpool going forward.

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

          This

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

        The big thing for me is (even though I am far from a United lover) I am actually excited about Greenwood for England's sake and wanting to watch him. I cannot see me being as excited about Sancho even if United are brain dead enough to pay such a fee in these times.

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sancho is about as good a value for £100m as Pogba has been since he moved to united, so not really for me.

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

        I think my post is close to others' thoughts too.

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

      I watched a few youtube highlight videos out of interest a couple of weeks ago and he looked... pretty good

      Not astonishingly good like when you see the old reels of Ronaldo Nazario (The OG of highlights reels - who was also the OG of World Class Forwards) where your jaw just hits the floor & stays there for 4 or 5 minutes...

      But definitely good nonetheless - he's still only 20 & only really has 50-60 career games so that'll probably come with time

      There was one good clip that was comparing his first few months with his last few & showing the technical parts of his game he'd improved both off the ball & on the ball which was quite interesting how quickly he was able to get rid of bad habits/embed good habits etc

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

        Interesting. Thanks for the reply.

    4. Uncle Baby Billy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      @ False Profit

      I’m in Germany and watch the BL.

      Sancho had an incredible season, he’s already at a different level to what Dembele was before he left Dortmund for Barcelona.

      In 18/19 he was used as a last 30 min sub for the first six or seven games and still managed to end the season with 12 goals and 17 assists. 19/20 he kicked up a notch and finished with 17 goals & 17 assists with ca 200 minutes less pitch time. The minutes were reduced more to do with his time being managed after the restart than form. He’s also, crucially, never been injured in those two seasons. His CL balance is just as impressive, in eight games he scored twice and assisted twice.

      Big misconception people are making, in my opinion, is that he’ll hamper Greenwood’s progress… I’d say Rashford is more likely to suffer. Greenwood will be challenging Martial for the central striker position next season, Sancho is a right winger / inside forward.

      I honestly have no idea what MU are thinking, Sancho is the real McCoy but plays in a position they are already richly covered in. He is, however, a *potential* world superstar which can’t be said about Rashford or Martial. If he continues to progress in the next two or three seasons as he has done these past two then you’re looking at a future Ballon d’Or winner. Or maybe he’s as good now as he’s going to get, je dinnae ken pas.

      Whatever... he’ll blister FF if he arrives in the Prem.

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

        Rashford plays on the left wing, Greenwood on the right wing.
        Greenwood is not a natural winger, and we only have James as back-up really. Not hard to ser what United is thinking then i would say

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

          With football evolving rapidly, there is no such thing as a winger anymore. More of a 'wide' player cutting in.

          Werner is a striker but there was a scout review that he spends alot of movinging into wider positions. Also plays better of a striker which leads the line.

          Players like Kane, Wood and Carroll 'natural strikers' are becoming a thing of the past. Versatile attackers like Sterling, Mane, Salah and the whole host of others is becoming the norm now. Even Auba plays 'out wide'.

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

            This

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

        Nice post. Thank you

    5. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53721186
      Jadon Sancho named in Borussia Dortmund training squad on day of deadline:
      "Dortmund set the deadline for Sancho, who is under contract with them until 2022, because they want undisturbed preparation for the 2020-21 Bundesliga season.
      Dortmund and Manchester United have reached an impasse over the fee.
      The German club want about £100m for the player, including a large up-front payment.
      There has also been a suggestion Dortmund will offer Sancho a new contract."

      Looks as if Sancho's staying at Dortmund!

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

        They already set a deadline and allowed United to dither. No doubt this line in the sand will rub away if the deal is right.

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

        We will only know when they want us to

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

        They also played devils advocate s with Dembele's move to Barca.

        I still think the fee plus wages is going to be out of reach for UTD. It is a big gamble spending that much cash in current financial crisis.

        Window far from over though.

  8. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Usual questions but haven't logged on for a while....when do we think fixtures will be out and FF will open?

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Fixtures in 12 days and opening in 14 (y)

      1. Mufc202020
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for the above! Has this been confirmed??

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

          Nope

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

      I don't understand why the fixtures need to be out for them to price the players...

      What's to stop them doing it before the fixtures release?

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Was wondering that myself.

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

        I might be more down to pending transfers than fixtures. Of course transfers will bleed into the start of the season anyway

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          We'll see a ton of RMTs torn up when Mbappé signs for Newcastle.

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

            I for one am putting a 13.0M placeholder in my midfield spots for him.

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

          The window will be open until 16 October so new signing shouldn't be holding up anything.

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

        If they can't populate the site with fixtures, it looks a bit naff. Also, player movements can affect the pecking order and then change what the price should be.

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

    Ideal week 1 draw?

    Liverpool get City

    City getting Fulham in week 2 would merely be the icing on the cake 😉

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

      Yep - If any combination of [Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal] end up getting a GW1 (or GW2!) fixture against any combination of [Man City, Man Utd, Wolves] there'll be scenes

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

        if the blanks run into week 2 the probability of something complex happening is fairly significant - speaking as someone who hasn’t got any clue about probabilities

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

          Yep this is exactly why I was urging caution a few days ago to the "Just pick Auba & Salah instead of Utd & City" brigade but was told I was overthinking lol

          There's about a million unresolved permutations of variables we need to get line of sight to before landing on GW1 teams & plans...

          All makes for a very interesting start!

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

        And not even thought of the International break.

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

      Is this a scenario where there are 10 matches in GW1 or staggered to include City, United and Wolves sitting it out?

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

        Given how tight the season schedule is likely to be I suspect an extended week 1 will be tough to accommodate. Not impossible.

        I’m expecting fixtures to appear at the last possible minute as there must be frantic negotiations over this sort of thing as well as winter break and broadcasting rights for unwatched matches too maybe.

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

          It's gonna be a mess and impossible to predict with TV schedules affecting things until close to the season start. If teams miss GW1 and 2 there could be a DGW3, but not GW4 due to internationals. The transfer window will still be open so Sancho could arrive at the tail end of all this. Big fun if Lacazette goes on TDD and Aube is shifted to spearhead after being reassigned as a midfielder in FPL. Oh boy!

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

      What is irking me a bit is that teams had a 3 month rest before the restart plus extra subs and some of them complaining about needing extended rest? The schedule was hectic teams made use of the extra 2 subs to keep players fresh.

      That is why it is likely the season will start without City, UTD and Wolves, maby even Chelsea as Frank was one of the managers which threw his toys about not getting enough rest lol and probably 2 very long GW's to catch up the fixtures. Here we go again... be gone long gameweeks, be gone!

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

    It would be fascinating if FPL Towers don't release any price and just launch the game on Sep 11.Just imagine the pure chaos and sheer frenzy for the next 24h......

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

      Yog Sorloth knows the gate.

  11. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    New Community Article

    FPL_Mentor has had a look at what the impact of the 30-day rest gap for all teams that was decided *in principle* at the PL AGM and whether we could see some blanks.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/08/10/dates-for-the-diary/

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

      Things could get really messy with the Spurs fixtures.

  12. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Damn, no Gareth McAuley in West Brom's defence any more? I think I'll pass then.

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah this, was hoping for a triple up on Brunt, HeGoalzi and McHauley.

      Looks like just one of them.

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

    Walker-peters or Targett?

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

      Ha ha. Going to be fun when things kick off again.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      KWP if they’re the same price.

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

        Yeh, I have my eye on him if he's 4.5

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

    Quiz time.

    I'm not quite going to name my super secret differential I'm just going to leave you just have to work it out.

    Price 5.5 mid
    Returns 7 goals and 4 assists in last 28 starts - plenty of cs bonuses to boot so ignore West Ham 🙂
    Nailedness - you decide
    Different - I think so 🙂

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

      Foden?

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

        Not nearly different enough - I’m looking at 5.5 next season.

    2. Kante FC
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Jonjo Shelvey?

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

        I’m guessing Jonjo has a better record than this actually

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

      Shelvey?

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

        Oh lundtsram then but he will be 6

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

      Wont have so many cs bonuses next season

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

        You’re hot on the trail then

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

      Just seen I’ve told a porky one goal anyway was off the bench - there is a definite issue with nailedness here I

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

      Stuart Armstrong?

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

        It'll be him. Although Lord L may well be a 5.5 midf too.

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

        He’s the one I’ll probably end up with in that bracket. Better player for better side after all. It’s just the stats I’m looking at aren’t so very different - they stretch over 2 seasons

    7. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Westwood

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

        Another close and quite probably better competitor - he’s definitely on my list. My secret weapon isn’t DFKs and corners

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

          Matt Ritchie?

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

      Oh and unless I’ve missed my guess he already has a PL winners medal

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

        Albrighton then?

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

        Iheanacho?

    9. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      ayoze

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

        It is indeed someone who was oop for much of last season - just elsewhere

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

      Milner or Ginni

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

        Lallana then.

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

        Neither of them mate but Hendo does offer really tidy value if he stays at 5.5 - shame about the shirt colour

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

      If it’s McGinn, I hadn’t forgotten about him.

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

        Oh nvm you said he had a medal lol

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

        McGinn I had too and enjoyed

        My man got fewer minutes last time when McGinn was flying - sort of.

        He’s less nailed on the face of it but his game defo fits the managers system

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

          Good grief. Gundogen then?

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

            As it’s just you and me here I’ll say Schlupp

            Long since stopped being a defender and doesn’t even get mentioned when we have a regular LB injury crisis

            Nowadays he’s not just a mid but as often as not what passes at Palace for an attacking mid - often playing quite centrally. He definitely has an eye for goal.

            Not nailed - but RH defo likes him and just like Ayew fits Royball very well. A hard running mid who has pace is exactly up his alley. The pace is the key - no one else playing centrally has any at all.

            When selected most Palace fans groan before the game, but pretty often he’s accepted as one of the better performers after. Ayew territory again.

            Offbeat of course but were he to become nailed I’d look before rejecting him before a run of good fixtures 🙂

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

              Never thought about him

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

              Uhhh, oookkkayyyyy......

              I might take a look if he's 5.0 but I will be looking for a minor midfielder to supplement a Big 4, and I'd want someone with more assured gametime. His goal on the last day was his first contribution since GW15. Tell you what, I bet after all this teasing you don't have him in your squad!!

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

                Yeah

                He’d need to be 5.0 really - don’t suppose I’d get him early in any event. Lots of other more sensible options named above. This thread now works as a tidy checklist for me 🙂

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

                  Glad to have been of ... er, 'service'?

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

                And the no game time since GW15 or so was long term injury - he got back in as soon as fully fit.

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

                  Yeh, I checked. He scored more than 2 points 3 times before his injury and once after. I'm actually tipping Palace for relegation, they've been deteriorating for 3 years now and show no signs of investing.

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

                    So the same tip as this time last season then 🙂

                    Not at all confident but think we’ll survive - just much less comfortably than GW29

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

                      Do you remember? I did tip Palace to go down a year ago. Yeah, I'm tipping them again!bOf course, I'm happy to man up and leap on his bandwagon if he proves me wrong!

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

                  I saw an interview with Townsend where he said Schlupp was the best player in the team and that Hodgson loves him. Pretty nailed.

                  Apparently he is very selfless and without him Zaha wouldnt shine

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

                    Can see him being rated as a players player - plenty there when you look and he is a good fit for the system

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

              Not a crazy idea. Would need Palace to regain some form to return to when Schlupp was value.

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

      Almiron?

  15. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Personally hope that Aubameyang is a striker on fpl this season. If he is a mid then majority of people will have template 352 teams with 3/4 £10m plus mids and cheap forwards.
    On top of that, reliable premium strikers would be limited to Kane, Vardy and potentially Werner.
    Keeping Aubameyang as a striker would give people something to think about and make our teams more diverse.

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

      Auba as a mid if you are going to pick him will likely see you have to decide between one of Salah, KDB, Mane, Sterling and likely Bruno so it will break the template of starting with Salah and KDB.

      Likes of Martial, Richarlison and Antonio should all be forwards so it makes things even more interesting.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Kane or Vardy would be great diffs. A couple of expensive blank fails and a Kane hatty will see panic set in. I wouldn't worry.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        There will be far too many good mf options for everyone to have the same team, some big decisions would have to be made

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

      News today is Arsenal are looking to off Laca. If so, Auba will def be up top. Fun bit is will Laca go after FPL Towers have re-positioned Auba?!

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

    After Paul Joyce (Tier 1) said Liverpool are monitoring Ismaila Sarr's situation, James Pearce (Tier 1) has said he's on Liverpool's radar - Klopp very impressed + Mane speaks highly of him.

    This news comes out the same day Liverpool go public that they'll listen to bids of £20m for Harry Wilson with Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton and Crystal Palace linked.

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

      If it does come off (of course a way to go yet), this would be sensible yet brilliant by Liverpool. After constant briefing of a quiet summer, they're finally making moves for key positions with the right players.

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

        Unless Origi goes then this ain't happening.

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

          Wilson and Shaqiri out ideally.

          Salah Firmino Mane.
          Minamino Origi Sarr.

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

            News today linking Liverpool with David Brooks. Presumably only one of Sarr/Brooks is required, and only is Shaqiri goes. Origi is also surplus.

            Bebs - shouldn't Ox be backup?

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

              I'm not sure where Brooks is linked from? I wouldn't want him personally. I definitely agree that Sarr would be signed once we shift Wilson at the bare minimum, and potentially Shaqiri - who has always had suitors.

              Ox for me, is on thin ice. He hasn't been the same since his injuries so this is a big season for him. In his defence, he definitely isn't a winger. He is at best in CM, and at the moment would be backup to the trio we deploy.

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

                BBC. I'm not saying it's a good move, just that it's a heavy rumour.
                https://www.bbc.com/sport/53716825

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

                  Ah I see. Seems like we want another relegated player then haha!

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

            We going to struggle to shift Shaqiri unless we sell him at a cut price.

            Lots of clubs will probably want Wilson on loan again but do see him moving on this summer.

            Sarr is going to cost an awfull amount of money. Watford will want to squeeze every last drop.

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Wilson could be such a good shout in fpl teams if nailed at a mid/upper mid table team - loves a shot, great at freekicks, great delivery/crossing

              • goriuanx
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Shaqiri is a big name for a lot of clubs who have been linked before like Galatasary, Monaco etc. He'll have suitors, but I imagine he'd go in the 15m region.

                Watford can't do much with Sarr IMO, they're going to end up selling to help build a team that'll win the Championship. I don't remember how much they signed him for, but I don't see anything above 40m, which 35m could be raised by selling Wilson and Shaq.

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

      Brentford continue to be @rseholes. Dispicable club

      https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2020/august/club-statement/

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

        I like this from Barnet. Naming and shaming agents + clubs, this should be something everyone does.

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

          Fully agree. But are Brentford culpable, or is the agent pulling as fast one?

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

            Are you saying clubs have no responsibility to ask basic questions?

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

              Nope, I'm saying agents have been known to lie.

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

                Precisely so why are they engaging with him?

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Have they done anything wrong? Agent approaches them and says that Barnet have agreed to let sell him?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          *they being Brentford

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

            They cheated us out of an FA Cup match against City. That was hurtful enough.

      3. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Why blame Brentford? From the information given its the agent who is doing the touting outside of what was agreed

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Random thought but Fpl have to strike the balance between making it hard to pick a team but not too hard because if you go too far then it again forces people to have the same players

          I think a few posters on here have nailed it on the head, pricing should be relative e.g Pogba is no longer a good United option, therefore no one will really have him UNLESS he's priced in a way that's enticing enough to try and make a saving from Rashford Bruno etc

          I think this is the kind of idea they need to have in mind, slightly underpricing someone (in certain scenarios) to create more of a variety

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

            I think FPL Towers get the pricing bang-on 99% of the time, I have no arguments there. This time there are complications beyond their control that might make some prices look off. The transfer window stays open deep into the start of the season (so, eg, Pope and Hendo are priced at Burnley and Sheff U, then find themselves first choice at Chelsea and Man U), and the staggered start of the season could cause a lot of casuals to give up by the end of the first month.

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Yup I haven't had any major complaints since I started playing and yeah definitely a unique situation this time round but I do wish they could create a situation where a few more players could be viable options in our teams especially in the context I'm talking about

                E.g Man utd will start 11 players but realistically the fpl pool is DDG Maguire Shaw AWB Rashford Martial Bruno (might have missed one) so maybe Pogba and Lindelof could be priced slightly lower. The. 5 increments in pricing don't help, imagine a scenario where van dijk is 6.5 and Gomez starts at 5.8

                Just spitballing

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

                  I look at it from a different angle. Where it's likely to get tasty is if FPL Towers re-assign a bunch of forwards into midfield, overloading the premium/sub-premium options. We can't have 'em all and there may be little to differentiate the likes of Salah/Mane/Sterling/KDB/Bruno/Sancho/Auba followed by Son/Rashford/Pulisic/Mahrez.

                  I hate 'template teams' and the more diversity between squads, the more I like.

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      True I guess I just want even more diversity than that, but only ever so slightly. And yeah I hate the periods of the season where every team has the same players and everyone is basically captaining the same players. That's why early season is so exciting!

            2. gaurava1216
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Safe to say FPL won't go live until the fixtures are released?

              If so- any ideas when they due to announce fixtures?

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  I think somebody mentioned fixtures are usually released 3 weeks prior to first game. However with covid etc hard to say

                • Andy_Social
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  There's no necessary correlation there. Prices could be out before fixtures, especially if the TV companies spend ages haggling over schedules.

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

                I may be getting mixed up with the Telegraph Fantasy game here, but do FPL release their full price list prior to the game launching?

                1. Drexl Spivey
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  They usually release teasers, but suffice to say that one's down the toilet.

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

                Scenes if the PL season gets postponed

                😮

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

                Any chance we could have a hot topic/article for fanteam discussion?

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

                  Would be good to have that all in one place. It gets very confusing when posts are mixed in with FPL.

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

                  I hope they add it. I'm really liking going over drafts in FanTeam. The game looks well put together overall. I will say I really hate the bonus point for your team winning the game and losing a point for losing the game. It makes promoted or bottom half sides far less appealing as options.

                  Forwards as well are pretty useless imo. If a player plays 80 minutes, scores a goal in a 1-2 defeat, he scores a measly 5 points. If that happens in FPL he's on 7 or 8 minimum. Meanwhile, Matic at MUN can play the full game in a 1-0 win, and get 5 points: +1 for playing 90 mins, +1 for team winning in addition to the usual 3 in FPL.

                  Seems quite unfair.

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

                    How can anything be unfair when everyone in the game is playing by the same rules, you are making a comparison with the regular game, that's unfair lol.

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

                      Unfair in the sense that it's biased towards top 6 teams and makes fewer players options which hurts game diversity.

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

                        Maybe uneven is a better word. Not as balanced as the original game.

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

                          Yes that 🙂

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

                See Sarr linked with a move to Palace. That honestly will be great for FPL!

                1. Drexl Spivey
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  He's linked all over the shop.

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

                    Reports say Watford are desperate for money as well so he probably will end up at another club.

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

                  Palace seem to be on a cheap bargain hunt - can't see them coughing up unless they find a buyer for Zaha.

              6. The Spion Kloppite
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                I think there is every chance that the first round of league matches will have some degree of 'matching up' within
                the top 6-8 teams so that no outrageous advantage is given to any one particular team.There will be matches
                first up completely non contentious like Brighton v Villa or WHU v Everton and Fulham v Newcastle and the like.
                Once the European playing teams have had their 'rest' period then the big boy teams will enter the fray.
                Just cannot see the likes of Liverpool opening up their first 6 weeks with fixtures against
                WHU:WBA:FULHAM:BRIGHTON:LEICESTER & SHEFF UTD.
                It aint gonna happen.

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

                  Don't get this. Isn't it random? What am I missing?

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

                    I'm not supporting the OP, but it's not actually random. The Liverpool clubs are planned to be h/a, as are the Manchester clubs. Derbies are timed to not overload the police, things like that. But yeh, there's no particular reason those opening fixtures in the OP can't happen.

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

                Does any member know of a way to have the custom reports show that stats by either a "per game basis" or "per 90 mins basis" ? I thought Joe mentioned this on a scout cast at some point but I can't see any options.

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

                  No idea but good to see you mate. I look out for your analyses above all others pre-season!

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

                    What's up Andy. Not sure I have much insight this year, my big at the back strategy didn't work last season (thanks to Lundstram/Rico/Kelly all doing bits) but I'll probs give it another go this year. Hopefully I was just one year too early.

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

                      Yeh me too. Alisson's GW1 mishap jiggered things big time - that won't happen again. And 3 early 4m's coming through - I wouldn't rely on that either. My intention is to triple on Liverpool defenders and stick 2x4.5 on the bench.

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

                Bamford or Mitrovic?

                Assuming both come in at the predicted 6.5m price bracket. Who are you going for?

                Bamford plays for the better team, he takes far more shots, is far harder working. However, he's a pretty wasteful finisher.

                Mitro on the other hand is on penalties, also takes lots of shots, better at finishing and can get 10+ goals a season in the PL. Plays for Fulham though who are odds-on to go right back down.

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

                  Long discussion yesterday about this 😀

                2. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    With no stats or anything to back me up i'd say Mitro- did it in the premier League already

                  • Andy_Social
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    One has already thrived in a PL setting with a relegated side; the other has failed in PL and everywhere else. No contest for me.

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

                    Mitrovic if I had to pick between the two (see Foo Fighter's link!).

                    tl:dr Unless Bamford improves this year, I don't expect him to match Mitrovic. It doesn't matter if Fulham are going down, Mitrovic is going to score their goals!

                3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Afternoon everyone!! Seen a few discussions about Stuart Dallas on here and rightly so, I checked Leeds stats from last season, Luke Ayling could be an equally decent option, stats for both were....
                  Stuart Dallas- Appearances 45, 5 goals and 3 assists
                  And...
                  Luke Ayling- Appearances 37(35 Starts) 4 goals and 4 assists

                  Food for thought!!!

                  1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    *Stuart Dallas was 45 Starts btw

                  2. @persecuted_by_mods
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      My thinking is usually if that's what you got in the championship playing as one of the best teams, how much is that attacking input coming down when you step up to the premier League

                      The majority of players can't replicate it, key is finding the gems that can

                      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Yeah your bang on there mate!! Agree completely!!! Don’t think il have either(or any other promoted team players)in my line up for the start of the season but will be keen to see how they both do early doors and make an informed decision further down the line

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

                        I agree, although it's not impossible - Doherty scored 4 goals in 45 games in the Championship in 17/18, and then was one of the revelations of the FPL season the following year when he got even better.

                        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 7 months ago

                          Yeah that’s right mars and he replicated it again this season, every season there is a surprise package of a player like Doherty, these are both 2 plays that certainly have the potential to be but the proof will be in the pudding obviously as it’s a massive step up in class from the championship

                          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 6 Years
                            3 years, 7 months ago

                            *mate

                        2. @persecuted_by_mods
                            3 years, 7 months ago

                            Yup there's definitely players that make the step up and do even better, it just isn't necessarily the ones that did best in the championship and can be quite random. Key is finding the gems

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

                        Both have been discussed plenty - multiple community articles and hot topics, if you check.

                        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 7 months ago

                          Ah have they mate, wonderful il check them out then sorry for repeating anything then, just worked 14 straight days on the bounce at work and havnt had much time to be on here Subsequently

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

                        Stats in a division where they beat every other team. Halve these numbers and they are more "meh". Wait for prices (and fixtures) as there will be viable 4.5s likely for a range of teams.

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

                          I will be looking for a pair of 4.5 defenders. I'd like to think Ayling and Dallas are in contention and if the fixures fall kindly they will be. But all things being equal, it's as jarvish says, 4.5 defenders who've been there, done that last season will take priority. Can always jump on a bandwagon if they prove themselves.

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

                            I'll be going for that too. In these days of chips, you can really play the fixtures as well. Get two who rotate well for the first 10 games.

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

                            Have a strange feeling noth will be 5.0

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

                              Definitely

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

                      Piece on expected goals stats coming up on talksport.

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

                        Read this first - how Liverpool make a complete mockery of xG

                        https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/09/liverpool-xg-jurgen-klopp

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

                          Doesn’t really tell me anything apart from Liverpool have outperformed xG for a couple of seasons, with their only explanation as to why being ‘they have good players’.

                          A pretty poor article tbh.

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

                            Exactly....a pretty poor article,the only thing you can keep is "That’s really what separated Liverpool – they don’t make mistakes".

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

                              Or that xG is based on league averages rather than team averages. Hence has inherent flaws when used for comparing match data

                    • Rotation's Alter Ego
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      New Community article

                      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/08/10/the-curious-case-of-richarlison/

                      I feel like most of us have owned Richarlison for some point over the last 2 seasons and been disappointed with what we got - is he a troll? Will he improve? The Ignorant Player took a look 🙂

                      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        Quite a few CAs coming through at the moment, so thank you to everyone showing their support for them. Still have some to go live, there's another great one by Hedge coming out tomorrow.

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

                          Great - Hedge's are particularly valuble, in my book.

                    • goriuanx
                      • 13 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Sancho update from Dortmund. They say he will play for them next season and that his contract is until 2023, which is new news.

                      https://twitter.com/BVB/status/1292837114284056576?s=20

                      https://twitter.com/BVB/status/1292838375314149377?s=20

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

                        That's good, if it's true, as I don't want United to get him 🙂

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

                        Somehow I don't think United will give up, but I hope so. It will make our FPL picks that much easier.

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

                        lol well that means ManU will get him then, its just some ellaborate mating ritual between Man U and Dortmund

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

                        Someone was posting Sancho in his FPL team up the other day 😆 whoops

                      5. Zilla
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        New news to the public not to Manchester United obviously.