Pro Pundits - Mark

How I plan to overcome absence of Man United players from FPL Gameweek 1

The founding father of Fantasy Football Scout, nine-time top 10k finisher, with three all-time top 500 ranks, Mark Sutherns reveals his tips and team for Gameweek 1 of the new FPL season.


Maybe it’s the quick turnaround. Maybe it’s been my newfound awareness of the noisy Fantasy Football community. Or maybe it’s just my diminishing ability to balance an obsession and the minimum requirements of a functioning 48-year-old adult. Whatever the reason, settling on an initial squad has been more agonising than ever.

In truth, it’s the absence of the two Manchester clubs from the Gameweek 1 fixtures that’s probably to blame for all the handwringing. My FPL muscle memory has failed to compute how to build for the opener without two such attacking heavyweights. 

Until the early hours of this morning, I was obsessed with plans to accommodate a United asset for their Gameweek 2. I’ve flipped flopped between Anthony Martial (£9.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) and whipped myself into a frenzy about reserving funds to accommodate them ahead of the Crystal Palace’s Old Trafford visit. 

But now I’m prepared to go without. Because while I’m likely correct to assume that United will be a force, I was ignoring the fact that Chelsea – bloated by an array of new attacking talent – could be superior and offer stronger value. 

This may not transpire just yet, but I’m comfortable that within a few rounds of fixtures, we’ll start to witness Chelsea’s potential to overshadow all but Liverpool and City for attacking output. 

So I’m getting on early. I’ve remained a passenger Tim Werner-wagon, but with the caveat that, if I have any early doubts after Monday night’s display, I can alight at Martial ahead of Gameweek 2. That’s because Christian Pulisic (£8.5m) will be in place as my weapon of choice from Frank Lampard’s impressive armoury. 

Pulisic may not start at Brighton, but I feel he’ll get enough pitch time to trouble the Seagulls defence and offer reassurance that he could threaten to break into the top tier of midfielders. 

I’ve also gambled on his team-mate Reece James (£5.0m). If he figures at the Amex Stadium, James is far from assured to follow it up with a string of appearances to come. However, as a Gameweek 1 dice roll, he can offer an upside second only to Liverpool’s full-backs that sandwich him in my three-man defence, bristling with promise. 

With Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m) in reserve and Luke Ayling (£4.5m) to come in for Gameweeks 2 and 3, I might just have contingency before I’m forced to make “wasted” transfers in defence. 

Elsewhere, the team-sheet is unashamedly template with Che Adams’ (£6.0m) inclusion another gamble. 

The Saint may only get an hour against Palace and perhaps less against Spurs the week after. However, having seen Fulham in the Championship, I’m willing to offer odds that Adams will get as many opportunities in 60 minutes as the coveted Aleksandar Mitrović (£6.0m) is fed in 90. 

He may just have to live off scraps and errors against Arsenal and Leeds, though following that I might be forced to look to the Serbian should Adams falter. 

That’s purely speculation. Just a single set of images snipped from the visions of the early Gameweeks that have played on repeat in my head. I’ve no idea how close those imagined highlights will be to the events to come, I’m just glad that I can finally eject the tape and settle down to watch the real thing unfold.

The pre-season has been painful for me, but it would have been more agonising had I not found a place – a new start – in the Fantasy Football community. I’ve been amazed at the content produced in the past six weeks and I’m delighted to be playing my part. Thanks for welcoming me back and see you on the other side of Gameweek 1. 

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Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

953 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Are FFS members allowed to copy Mark’s team?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For a price.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m sure there may be a few.

      He’s going for 3 figure finish.

  2. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Adams, Soucek, ASM triple ups are why I've dropped Salah

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I do t have Salah but still punting On Adams

      Either rashford and Adams or martial and a £6m mid which isn’t very appealing for me

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

      But when Salah, ASM, Adams, Soucek all score 😀

      1. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        make sure soucek is playing , moyes had a comment about him

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Then you wake up 😛

        It isn't bad, I just don't like it at all. Sutherns is a legend though so it sounds inevitable!

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

    Good?

    Mccarthy (Nyland)
    TAA - Davies - Saliba (Mitchell, Shaw)
    Salah - Auba - Havertz - Alli - Soucek
    Werner - Adams (Davis)

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      My team except ASM/Justin instead of Soucek/Saliba

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

        Yeah tempting.

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

        That team costs 100.5

  4. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martial or Bruno?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno

    2. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno if his in the country Which I doubt personally

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ?

        1. QUEN
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          His in Portugal which just went on the government COVID list - has to be back today I believe it was or he needs to quarantine

          His wife just had a baby though so i don’t know.

          1. QUEN
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Baby in Portugal that is

            1. SuperG
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Do you really think united won’t have told him to get back? Baby was born a full week ago.

              1. QUEN
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Not sure enough to start with him which my plan was to bench him till GW 2

          2. Lev Yashin
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            You need to quarantine if you're a common pleb.

            He'll be back and tested nearly every day.

            1. QUEN
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Lmao good point

              Then again greenwood training alone and I’m sure he gets tested regularly. Who knows. I’m not confident enough to bench him GW1 tho for sure

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

      Both, haha.

      But if just one, choose the one that fits better on your team structure.

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Currently have space for one of them. Maybe easier to have Bruno.

  5. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Adams Mitchell

    B) Soucek Vinagre

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

    What do you guys think?

    McCarthy - (Steer)

    TAA - Davies - Saliba - Justin - (Mitchell)

    Aubameyang - Salah - Rodriguez - ASM - (Stephens)

    Mitrovic - Werner - Martial*

  7. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone going with both McCarthy and KWP?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes

    2. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Currently. But dont fancy a double up tbh.

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think I might want 2 Southampton mid/attack at some point so no

    4. TFP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yeah I have them both. it's far from ideal to be doubling up on defensive assets of such a poor team, but their early fixtures and the lack of better 4.5 options makes it imo the lesser of a number of possible evils.

    5. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve ended up with McCarthy Adams and JWP lol.

  8. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How long will Holding keep his place?

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

      Long. He is good at holding his place.

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

        Damn the puns outta this world homey

  9. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, I know neither are good picks, but I have to pick one between Davis or Vassilev for 4.5 fwd, which one is the better pick or have slightly more chance for minutes for Villa? Not Brewster.

    Thank you

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would chose the one with lower % ownership tbh to avoid losing 0.1 on fodder

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

      As a Villa fan neither will start and may not get minutes either

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Since your a villa fan. Who will start Steer or Nyland ?? Pls.

  10. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Looking good?

    McCarthy/4.0
    TAA/Davies/4.5/4.5/4.5
    Salah/Auba/Son/ASM/4.5
    Werner/Ings/4.5

    Or worth downgrading one of the 4.5 defs to 4.0 and keep 0.5ITB?

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Template so good

      I think leave the defenders you want at least two safe bench players with COVID. I assume someone’s getting downgraded for man United/city so you’ll get the 0.5 then

    2. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would downgrade 1 4.5 personally.
      Maybe to make Shaw

    3. john25
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who are you picking as your 4.5 fwd?

  11. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Talk me out of Alli instead of Son. If Alli is at his best playing behind Kane he's a great shout.

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

      No, I have Alli.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I can get Son quite easily, but I’m actually leaning towards Alli anyway.
      The good thing about Son though is because he’s 9mil, he’s easy to change to a Chelsea.

      1. JollyGoodYellows
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Precisely my issue. I to think Alli coukd be a better shout.

    3. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sure Alli could be great, or Lucas could be too

      Depends how you will use the mil saved

      I have son as gone for the safer options and I only want to make one nervous pick (Adams)

      1. JUST ONE LOMBARDO...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I'm backing Son. I've been burned so many times by Ali I always find him underwhelming.

  12. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saliba or Holding?

    1. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Been asking myself (and here) for a few days

      IMO Holding is safer than Saliba short term

      Saliba has slightly higher upside

      I went for Saliba

  13. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 mid? Is Bissouma a price drop waiting to happen?

    1. Bring back Rafa
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Smallbone if short term

  14. Visionaries
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Long term would you rather have?

    A Shaw & (Soucek bench)
    B ASM & (4.5 bench)

    1 Dier
    2 Davies

    1. LFC4EVER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A-2

  15. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For the first time in my career, I decided to invest 5.0 on a set and forget GK for several reasons. Which one would you prefer:

    A) Ramsdale

    B) Leno

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

      A

  16. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Asm

    Or

    Soucek

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have rotated these 2 in and out about 200 times.....currently on ASM

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek

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

      Soucek for GW1 or 5th mid
      ASM for longer term and/or 4th mid

  17. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Meslier nailed on keeper for Leeds?

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

      95%

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  18. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Currently on Johnstone/Button

    Is McCarthy/4.0m a wider choice?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      button is 4m
      McC/Button

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You sir, may know your onions.

      2. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But it is better than the WBA double?

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I think so yes.

          1. Lev Yashin
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers chief

  19. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For GW2...

    1) Wan-B, Foden, Nketiah
    2) Digne, Saka, C.Wilson

    ...I have a strong bench to accommodate the 'non-nailedness' of Foden, Saka and Nketiah.

  20. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Havertz + Richarlison + Holding + Ings(cry)

    Or

    B. James Rodriguez + Ings + Egan + Antonio(NEW)

  21. Mikha In A Tutu
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT
    McCarthy
    TAA Boly Justin
    Auba (c) Salah Havertz Maximin
    Vardy Antonio Mitrović
    Nyland Soucek Peters Mitchell

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very nice.

  22. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Kane and JWP
    2. Ings and Son

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

      2 all the way

  23. Paanmonkey
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    pick one to pair up with TAA and Doherty

    A. Justin
    B. Egan
    C. Mitchell

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  24. JUST ONE LOMBARDO...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone punting Batshuayi?

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tempted but gonna see how he starts off first. Wilkins at Villa looks tempting also fro gw2

    2. Bring back Rafa
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, he went to the wrong team I think

      1. JUST ONE LOMBARDO...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He did well last time. Not sure about GW1 but I think he's one to watch.

  25. RyanKent14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What’s the better combo here?

    A - Werner + Pereira
    B - Adams + Havertz

    B does let me strengthen my bench

  26. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who gonna be the last on my bench?

    Ryan, (Walton)

    Trent, KWP, Vinagre, Dier, (Mitchell)

    Salah, Auba, Son, ASM, (Bissouma)

    Werner, Adams, Antonio

  27. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, how is this looking? Have 0.5 to do Ings > Martial next week

    McCarthy
    TAA - Egan - MItchell
    Auba - Havertz - Son - ASM - Soucek
    Werner - DCL

    Steer - Martial - Saiss - Taylor

    1. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ignore the Ings to Martial part as I made a late change

  28. FPL Bargain
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm considering Reece James over Soucek but are there 2 4.5 midfielders to sit on a bench in a 4 3 3 like Az's team?

  29. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Has Mark revealed his team?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who cares?

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes - I dont like it.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Link?

        1. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Literally on this article

  30. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Final Team

    Really would appreciate feedback

    McCarthy

    TAA - Doherty - Mitchell (Taylor,Ferguson)

    Salah - Auba - Son - Soucek (Bissouma)

    Werner - Mitrovic - Wilson

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doherty going to start??