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. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which striker will get most points this week who isn't Werner ?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kaaaaaane

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings

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

      Ings or Vardy, both getting a brace

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

        I support this

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

      Vardy

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Knowing FPL, probably Bamford.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lol

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

        I'd say Firmino then.

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

        Wouldn’t surprise me at all. Can see an upset there

    6. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane and Vardy

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

    Mccarthy (nyland)
    Taa davies justin (taylor mitchell)
    Sala son auba soucek asm
    Werner callum (davis)

    Gw2 Son to bruno 1.5
    Gw3 Auba/salah to kdb

    Have 0.5 itb, opinions please????

  3. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Davies of spurs will start v Everton?

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

      Yes

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  4. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A - Doherty & KWP
    B - Davies & Shaw

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

    Good to go? 1.0 itb

    Mccarthy
    TAA Davies Dier
    Salah Auba Son ASM
    Werner Mitro Adams

    Steer Justin Mitchell Bissouma

    Still not sure if I should use that 1mil itb...?

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

    GTG?

    McCarthy
    TAA Dier Vinagre
    Salah (c) Auba Alli ASM
    Werner Ings Adams

    Steer Mitchell Bissouma Ferguson

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very nice

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

      I thought about that Soton double up as well. Ballsy differential!

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

      Team name Davies and picks Dier?
      I prefer Justin over Vinagre but otherwise decent

  7. Veggente85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last decision, thanks for your inputs!

    A) Rodriguez (Eve) - St-Maximilian - Jimenez

    or

    B) Alli - Barnes - Wilson (new)

    or

    C) Alli - Rodriguez - Che Adams

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

      B

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

    Which team is better please

    A McCarthy
    Davies, TAA, Justin, Mitchell (Shaw*)
    Auba, Salah, Havertz*, JWP*, (Biss)
    Mitrovic, DCL, (Martial*)

    +0.5

    B McCarthy
    Davies, TAA, Justin, (Taylor, Mitchell)
    Auba, Salah, Alli, ASM, (Biss)
    Werner, DCL, Antonio

    Gw2 Antonio & Salah > Martial & Bruno

  9. vova
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Son/ASM/Adams
    B) Pulisic/Alli/Davies

    have Soucek and Mitrovic

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      very close. A

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

      I like B, unsure if Pulisic fit though?

      1. vova
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yeah that's the thing, both Pulisic and Havertz aren't 100% to start. I think one of them will and the other one will come off the bench.

  10. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Mitrovic, Soucek & Taylor
    B) Mitrovic, Egan & Taylor
    C) ASM, Soucek & Egan

    (Have Wilson)

    Cheers!!

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

    A - Nyland
    B - Steer
    C - Button

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  12. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone considering Lord Lundstram?

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

      No

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not without CS points

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This

  13. cemal
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which do you prefer and would you make changes? 442 vs 352. Thanks a lot guys
    A)
    McCarthy
    TAA Tierney Davies Coady
    Salah Auba ASM JWP
    Werner Kane
    (Nyland, Mitchell, Burke, Brewster)
    B)
    McCarthy
    TAA Lamptey Mitchell
    Salah Auba Son ASM Saka
    Werner Ings
    (Nyland, Ayling, Taylor, Brewster)

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  14. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed, Select a combo:
    A) Son + Wilson
    B) Kane + Saint Maximin
    C) Alli + Wilson + 1m to upgrade elsewhere (needed)
    D) Alii + Ings

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

      D

  15. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Not many interested in Tierney??

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

      Will be playing as LCB

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

    RMT:
    MCarthy
    Taa / Justin / KWP
    Auba (c) / Salah / Son / ASM
    Werner / Mitro / DCL

    Bench: Nyland / Douglas / Lamptey / Bissouma

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

      9/11 starters the same as mine so I like it

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

        Which 2 different?

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

          Son & DCL vs Alli and Ings

  17. TONEY HONEY
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I started to think that Van Dijk + Wan Bissakka are better than TAA + a 4.5m defender.

    What do u think?

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

      TAA first, everyone else second

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

        TAA is a must

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You are probably right but try going without TAA

    3. Ram It
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      TAA scores 32 more points then VVD over last season. And 20 of those points came in one game week. I’ve got vvd but watching Liverpool will be torture without Arnold

  18. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    No love for Newcastle defence? Really good opening 10 games.

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

      No Dubravka and no 5ATB

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If Darlow has been 4.0

    3. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Didn’t they change to a less defensive system that means they’ve stopped keeping as many clean sheets.

  19. Jehstafari
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy Button
    TAA Justin KWP Mitchell Robinson
    Aubameyang Salah Alli Soucek ASM
    Werner Mitrovic Ings

    Any clear errors or obvious improvements?

    Defence a bit light?

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

      Most template team I've seen today

      I don't like it at all, that Mitro-Soucek-ASM combo and two 4.5 defender combos are asking for trouble. It's safe though.

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

        Fair point, rotations can be a nightmare

  20. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Villa fans - Steer or Nyland??

    Leeds fans - Ayling or Dallas??

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Steer
      Dallas

      (Don’t support either)

  21. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT

    Mcarthy
    Justin TAA Egan
    Salah(c) Auba ASM Ali
    Ings Werner Mitro

    Subs, Nylan, Mitchell, Stephens, Douglas

    0.5itb to do Ings to Martial next week

  22. Joe-AsWell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Well done, Mark. 3-5-2 - 'nough said. This season is about strikers classified as midfielders. You can have 2-3 strikers without using any striker spots. Magic. 5 man midfield - magic.

  23. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Nobody on DCL?

    Does seem like an easy makeweight to Che, trying to squeeze him in

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      On him

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah. I love him love him though, so I’m biased.

  24. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The 5.0 spot:

    A. Dier
    B. Davis
    C. James
    D. Saiss

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

      Egan

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

      Davies

  25. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So who do you think gonna play as a left back for Chelsea during Chilwell absence? Azpi or Alonso?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alonso vs Brighton, Azpi vs Pool

    2. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Azpi if 4-3-3, Alonso if 5 atb

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do you think James should nailed till Chilwell is back?

  26. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    can someone auto pick for me, don't like the ones I got from FPL

  27. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who plays Everton RB ? Coleman or Kenny

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think Coleman starts. Kenny has been given the number 2 shirt though so looking like he’s staying (I thought he’d be back to Germany).

  28. juanmata8
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last piece of the puzzle -

    a. Alli + Jimenez
    b. Kane + Pereira
    c. Havertz + Rich
    d. Son + DCL

    Rest of the Team

    McCarthy 4m
    TAA Davies Justin KWP Ferguson
    xxx Auba Salah ASM Bissouma
    Adams Werner xxx

    Any suggestions?

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz & DCL

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        & spend the change on upgrading a defender or two. Ferguson to Taylor is a good move. Taylor & KWP are a great rotating pair.

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

    Is 352 with Soucek and ASM too light in midfield?

    McCarthy
    Trent Robertson Davies
    Salah Auba Son Soucek ASM
    Werner Adams

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

      Imo yes but it looks great overall so go for it

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

      I'm looking at similar, but going Kane instead of Son and no Robbo

  30. GoonerSteve
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any advice please?

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA, Doherty, Justin (Bernardo, Douglas)
    Auba (c), Salah (vc), Son, Soucek, Saint-Maxwell

    0.5 itb.
    Werner, Adams (Mitrovic)