Scout Notes

Salah delivers on underlying stats as Liverpool defensive problems continue

Liverpool 4-3 Leeds United

  • Goals: Mohamed Salah x3 (£12.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) | Jack Harrison (£5.5m), Patrick Bamford (£5.5m), Mateusz Klich (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Fabinho (£5.5m), | Kalvin Phillips (£5.0m), Stuart Dallas (£4.5m), Hélder Costa (£5.5m)
  • Bonus Points: Salah x3, Klich x2, Bamford x1

Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) finally delivered on the promise he showed at the end of last season by exploding with a 20-point haul against Leeds United.

That was his biggest score since Gameweek 16 of 2018/19 when he racked up 21 points in a 4-0 win at Bournemouth.

The Egyptian spent the final Gameweeks of 2019/20 shooting often, hitting the target regularly and still went goalless between Gameweeks 35+ and 38+ without finding the back of the net.

Despite a rather flat outing in the Community Shield, Salah picked up where he left off at Anfield on Saturday, carrying that shot-laden form into the new campaign – and it finally paid off.

Admittedly, two-thirds of his hat-trick came from the penalty spot but it is difficult to count that against a man who registered no more than nine attempts on goal in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Leeds.

As predicted by Jan Sienkiewicz in the Gameweek 1 Captain Sensible article, the way Marcelo Bielsa’s men set themselves up, pressing high up the pitch and asking questions of their own, suited Salah perfectly.

It opened up acres of space for him to exploit, allowing him enough time to win a first-half penalty by way of his fierce shot striking Robin Koch‘s (£4.5m) outstretched arm, before smashing a loose-ball high into the net for his second.

In Gameweek 1 Salah’s circa 30% ownership almost made him something of a differential, especially for the 890,000+ managers who captained him. With his former club Chelsea up next, a side that conceded 1.7 goals per game during Project Restart interest in the Egyptian is sure to climb in the coming days. 

As already mentioned, the space behind Leeds’ defence was key to Liverpool’s attacking threat on Saturday, although Sadio Mané (£12.0m) could not quite take advantage of it.

For most of the night, he had the beating of right-back Luke Ayling (£4.5m) but he left his first Anfield outing of the season without a single shot on target.

We should also point out the extenuating circumstances that probably helped Liverpool and Salah a little more than expected. Yes, Leeds were always going to play adventurous football at Anfield, such is Bielsa’s style, but they faced the defending Premier League champions without first-choice centre-back and club captain Liam Cooper (£4.5m).

The Scottish international’s knock is not thought to be serious, and he is likely to be in with a chance of facing Fulham in Gameweek 2, but his absence did leave Leeds short on Saturday afternoon.

It was Cooper’s partnership with Ben White (£4.5m) that helped Leeds record the best defensive record in the Championship last season, but neither was present in Gameweek 1. Bielsa was forced to pair Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) with new signing Koch – and what a torrid debut it was for the latter.

It was his outstretched arm that gave away the penalty in the opening exchanges and he completely lost his man when Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) nodded home a first-half corner unchallenged.

With Cooper likely back in the Leeds team next time out, they may fare better at home to Fulham, while Salah might find it slightly more difficult facing Thiago Silva (£5.5m) at Stamford Bridge… although Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.0m) was the main reason for Chelsea’s defensive problems last season.

Outside of Salah’s huge haul, the biggest talking point from Liverpool’s win over Leeds was one of their worst defensive showings in recent memory.

Despite coming into this game with every member of their first-choice back-four in the starting line-up, the visitors breached the Reds three times and could easily have scored even more.

That said, perhaps Fantasy managers should not be so surprised to see Liverpool struggling at the back, as their defensive problems have now been winding on for some time.

For all the enthusiasm with which Reds defenders are viewed in the Fantasy community, they still only managed to keep seven clean sheets at Anfield from a possible 19 last season (36.8%).

Furthermore, during Project Restart, they conceded a total of 20 big chances, the seventh-most in the league across that period. The last time Jurgen Klopp’s men recorded a shut-out in a competitive fixture was in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on July 5.

Since then, they have conceded to Brighton (1), Burnley (1), Arsenal (2), Chelsea (3), Newcastle (1), Arsenal (1) and Leeds (3) at an average of 1.7 per game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m), whose summer injury kept him from any involvement in Liverpool’s pre-season campaign, was the main culprit for Leeds’ first goal. He was caught out of position, allowing Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) the time to find Jack Harrison (£5.5m).

Joe Gomez (£5.5m) was also at fault, offering too little in the way of pressure on Harrison, and neither did Alexander-Arnold, before he stuck the ball into the net.

Incredibly, even van Dijk’s performance was sub-par, his woeful attempted flair-clearance playing the ball straight to Patrick Bamford (£5.5m) inside the box; the Leeds strike needing only to hook it past Alisson (£6.0m).

More disorganisation at the back was on display as Hélder Costa (£5.5m) put the ball in the net in the eighth minute, Liverpool saved only by the offside flag on that occasion. Bamford was also allowed a clear run at Alisson in the aftermath of Liverpool scoring going 2-1 up.

And in the second half, nobody was marking Mateusz Klich (£5.5m) as he ghosted into the box and rifled Costa’s through-ball into the bottom corner.

After that, Harrison got behind the back of Liverpool’s defence once again, successfully lobbing the ball over Alisson, which Alexander-Arnold then headed into his own net. Liverpool were, again, saved by the offside flag on this occasion.

Even though van Dijk and Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) each finished Gameweek 1 with an attacking return to their name, Saturday’s seven-goal thriller hardly inspires too much confidence in a Liverpool defensive double-up – or triple-up in some cases. There will have to be some serious improvement before travelling to face Timo Werner (£9.5m), Kai Havertz (£8.5m) and company at Stamford Bridge next week.

However, there was still plenty to like about what these players offer going forward.

Yes, Alexander-Arnold was very rusty defensively, but his set-play delivery was still strong. During a promising second-half spell, he went close to registering two assists from corners. First, he found Salah at the near post, whose shot was blocked before van Dijk nodded the resulting corner just over the bar.

The centre-back could have also added to his tally, a second-half unmarked headed goal ruled out for a foul by Curtis Jones (£4.5m) in the build-up.

And Robertson could have added to his assist tally for the evening when Struijk deflected his cross towards his own goal, before it was desperately tipped over by Illan Meslier (£4.5m).

Naturally, owners of more than one Liverpool defensive asset are likely to give the set-up a bit more time to settle into a rhythm this season, but they will certainly be asking for improvements at this end of the field moving forward…

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold (Matip 89′); Keïta (Fabinho 58′), J Henderson (C Jones 66′), Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Struijk, Koch, Ayling; Phillips; Costa, Hernández (Roberts 62′), Klich (Shackleton 81′), Harrison; Bamford (Rodrigo 62′).

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1,879 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Chelsea's defense has improved, 1 goal in their last 6 at home but conceded 10+ in their last 6 away... it'll be interesting to see which one turns up next week. Salah's away record with Mane horrendous too last season but he looked phenomenal yesterday, much to the detriment of my rank!

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely, will be interesting to see if salah away form can improve. Think he only scored 4 away from home last season

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

      Chelsea's defence was made to look far worse than it actually was because of Kepa. Their xG conceded last season was on the level of Liverpool and United.

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have in my head the 5-3 from last season - if both teams are open in could be another end to end game

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For us bruno benchers can only hope he hauls and salah blanks for those that keep

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

      Generally speaking, a team's defense stats are improved by the team's high perceived attacking threat - opponents can't afford to throw too much forward if they are worried about the counter-attack threat. It can be argued Chelsea's threat has increased this year, so it's likely their defense will improve, even if they use the exact same defenders as last season.

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

      Interesting ty

      Didn’t know that stat - Kante in could be big

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

      Does anyone actually take the Salah playing worse with Mane stats seriously? Ridiculous.

  2. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Had a shocking season last year which coincided with using twitter a lot more and not being on here much. Think I’ll be going back to basics this year and getting back involved on here more regularly

    1. Baked baines
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thank you for this.

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

        Likewise, giving FPL a real go this year after a shocking one last year.

        Going to analyse a lot more data to help make my decisions.

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I was having a cracking year until I started following loads of Twitter accounts last season. Still got a great rank but tailed off big time at the end and also found it really stressful. This year I'm just going to mute all the accounts I follow and just check in once or twice a week for the accounts that provide really good content to see if anything jumps out which I haven't considered.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Exactly my thinking. So many accounts on twitter and majority are nonsense and should be ignored but when you get so much info it’s hard to ignore some of it. I’ve just gone through and unfollowed loads of fpl accounts - esp ones who are constantly gloating about their picks when they’ve probably never had a top 10k rank in their life

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

      Way too much noise out there with Twitter and a ridiculous number of FPL YouTube, podcasts etc. People create bandwagons based on who makes the loudest noise 🙂

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed!

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good choice Pat. Twitter is a bunch of nonsense with self proclaimed pros who actually dont know anything about FPL circlejerking and bigging each other up. Easy to get caught up in but not helpful at all

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. Enjoying it more on here, especially when a bit quieter. Hard to get a discussion going when the pages are flying!

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

      GL for this season mate 🙂

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate. Hope you’re good and season has started well

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

          It has 🙂

          Thanks. Hopefully same for you

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

      This site is incredible for insights, I don't bother with anything else.

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

    Morning....Initial plan was salah and antonio to bruno and martial - 4. Have exact money and don't want antonio

    Not going to capt salah for a few weeks - and need to find 1.5m for antonio to martial.

    Do i stick to the plan?...inclined to i think

    The alternative seems to be saving ft, forgoing United and sticking with antonio......

    Mccarthy steer
    Taa davies shaw (vinagre ferguson)
    Salah auba havertz asm (biss)
    Werner antonio Adams

    Thanks

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      do the swap with Auba instead?
      Salah looked on fire yesterday

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wait and see how Chelsea look. You have the double up that I went for, could turn Werner into martial if the double up looks too much.

      Other option is Antonio to Wilson who looked impressive last night

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

        I haven't played for a few years - how long is too long to wait regarding price rises? If I wait till after gw2 and use 2 free transfers to swap two players that are exact money right now, will it be too late. I'm thinking Man City and Man U price rises as everyone piles in for gw2

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

      I’d want rid of Antonio ASAP.

      The guy was taking long throw ins. 😆

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Straight swap to Wilson

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

          That would be the most obvious move

          1. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            When it’s that clear cut I don’t think twice - Wilson great run up to Christmas, albeit mixed run short term

            Could be instantly rewarded next game.

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

              It’s the way I’d go.

              Wilson looked great.

              There was a couple of times I’d have liked to see him be a bit more greedy, but I suppose he’s still bedding in and IF all his injury problems are all behind him, I’m expecting a profitable season...

    4. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah I’m thinking this way too but it’s proving very hard. I might stick to the plan, pat makes a good point with Werner and just cover it with just martial

    5. Sepp Blattered
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You have the exact front 8 as me and also same plans.

      I’m actually more into the Leeds Fulham fixture after this week. Fulham could be the whipping boys

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

        Cheers guys.

        Not getting rid of auba ahead of West ham.

        I have asm and dont really want Newcastle double up....fixtures 3 to 6 not great.

        Could do werner to martial but that means sticking to antonio and hammers were hopeless...

        This season could be all about jumping on and off big boys at the right time.....

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

    Will Traore be back to play City?

    1. Sepp Blattered
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes - he’s their Doherty

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

    I think I am going to roll my FT and have 2 for GW1. This season going to be more patient and avoid those hits.

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

      *GW2*

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

        *GW3*?

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

      Good move. Way too early for these people making snap decisions on 1 game

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

      Agreed mate, particularly if prices don't look like rising for anyone

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

    best 5.0 midfielder punt for a 2-3 gamweeks ? Thinking of doing ASM>5.0 and ings>martial

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Slim pickings! Maybe Leeds mid. Not sure that’s worth a hit tho. If you desperately wanted martial then why didn’t you keep 0.5 in the bank

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

        I was silly enough to ''upgrade'' mitchell>taylor for a stronger bench for that 0.5, didnt think southampton would be so lackluster. Plan was salah>fernandes but hard to get rid after a hatrick and he looked very sharp.

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I did the same so can’t criticise! Hard to keep that 0.5 when you see an upgrade isn’t it!! I would hold for now and see how Man U get on....remember it’s their first game back so they might be a bit rusty and palace can produce randomly good performances against the bigger teams so not convinced it’ll be a 3 or 4 nil

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

            cheers yeah might save ft and reasses what needs to be done

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t lose ASM he was the best player on the pitch yesterday. With the 3 new signings they are going to open more space for ASM to work his magic

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

        looking at the stats from the game it doesnt look like he was that dangerous

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

          watched the highlights- he wasn't dangerous at all

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

            watched the whole game - he wasn't dangerous at all

      2. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Can you explain this? Watching that game made me want rid of ASM. He was playing left back basically all game and didn't threaten at all. Based on yesterday I'd rather Andy Carroll for 5.5m.

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

      Based on 1 match, both Phillips (Leeds) and Hendrick (New) were good value,compared to Soucek

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

        yeah actually like both those alternatives

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

    Martial.. do we think Ighalo will eat into his game time this year ?

    Rashford and Bruno seem likelier to get the minutes imo hence the price difference

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nope, Martial plays more minutes than Rashford. Injury permitting

      • The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nope, bet he’s been told he’s the sub if they’re 3 up or need a goal and he’ll come on. Wouldn’t worry about Tony

      • just a man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No, don’t think so. He’s back up. Odd sub here and there to stay sharp.

      • Visionaries
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Tony is absolutely nailed

    2. Baked baines
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I still fond it hard to believe that people are still trying their best to get Bruno. For me he is massively over priced. Should be 9 at the most.
      Take away his pens last year he would have very few more additional points to his playing too.
      Plus we dont know if he will be playing deeper this season.
      If I was to get in any united player from GW2 Martial without doubt the best value.

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

        But why would you take away pens when assessing a player's scoring?

        Take away pens and Salah only got seven points yesterday. Except he actually got 20.

        Why alter the reality of what actually happened?

        1. Baked baines
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Salah scored 2 pens yest, agreed. But his overall goal threat is way above Bruno.

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

        Can i take away Salah pen points yesterday ?

      3. Well you know, Triffic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You obviously haven't watched Bruno then. In addition to his monopoly of set pieces he takes tons of shots every game and plays in and around the box. His price is fair.

      4. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Guarantee if you make an argument to get in salah or kdb then ‘On pens’ is on the list

        With var and heaps of possession big teams are going to get 8-10 pens a season

      5. Cabra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He averaged more points per game then KDB. Even if he declines (which i expect) he should be value.

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

      Any thoughts on how to recover from going without Salah? Should i ride out GW2 and see how he does away to Chelsea and wait to see what Son and Havertz do?

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

      Steer - Martial - Taylor - Mitchell

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ride it out. Some are even selling Salah for Bruno/Rashford.

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

          Who?

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

        Ride it out.

    4. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Any other unfortunate beings with both Ings/Adams and nothing in the bank? Stuck with them now

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

        They could both get in on the action GW2. I have both as well but with money ITB.

        I can do Adams to Wilson but points chasing does not always pan out.

        I may just keep Ings and Adams for another week.

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

          Yea tempted to hold, Wilson does look good though.

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

        Che adams was my captain on a footy game on android phone, so keep.

      3. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You can use a transfer you know! Few options in 6.5-7m bracket

      4. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bamford+martial?

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

          I think Bamford's an awful player and refuse to get him, plus that Rodrigo lad. Thanks anyway bud

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

        If you're that disappointed after 1 GW then Ings & Adams could become Wilson & Wood, with change to upgrade elsewhere. Both have great fixture runs...

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

          Good point, thanks mate will consider that.

      6. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I do I'm considering sticking to my plan of downgrading Salah to Bruno and upgrading one of them.

        The 2 x 12m mids anyways won't be viable long term. Can't rely on players like Soucek/ASM/Adams/Mitro all season.

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

          I see your point, our strategies were the same but I just can't sell Salah after that performance. 2 pens sure but very sharp nonetheless.

        2. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yes you can.

          There will always be gems that surface in that £5-6m price range.

          Westwood of Burnley is pretty good and I expect Perreira and possibly Eze to come good. I have worked on the basis that my premium mids are staying (KdB from GW3 and Salah) and my transfers will be around getting the in form £5-6 mids.

      7. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Surely you got them in because you thought they had a good run of games, not just for Palace away? Personally think SOU attack is overrated but if that was your initial thinking then stick with it for a few more game weeks.

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

          I banked on Salah becoming Bruno and upgrading using that money. I'm backtracking on that plan after yesterday's evidence.

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

        I have both Ings and Adams. But 0.5 ITB to do Ings to Martial.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          How did you end up with ziyech in your team?

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

      Corr, Trent > Shaw nets a healthy 2.5..

    6. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      With no money in the bank and stuck with Ings & Adams double up I'm almost certainly downgrading Salah to Bruno in order to upgrade one of them to Martial or DCL.

      Can get Salah back when I want to captain him (maybe GW4/7) and I dont feel like changing my plan based on two penalties.

      Maybe if Werner blanks ill be able to sell him for Martial but honestly I think he'll get a goal atleast.

      Thoughts?

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

        It was a poor start by Saints but i think they'll sharpen up. I've just got Adams and will leave him be to focus on bigger issues. For me. it's too soon to be thinking of hits - wait for the GW to finish at least. I'm not making any moves until GW2 is done then use 2FT.

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I feel like following the fixtures Pool & Soton both have two tough games GW2-3 whereas United & Everton have really good ones. I don't think I'll be happy with my team if I don't own a United attacker or two this week.

      2. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If you're that disappointed after 1 GW then Ings & Adams could become Wilson & Wood, with change to upgrade elsewhere. Both have great fixture runs...

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Newcastle have Tot, Bur, Mun & Wol GW3-6. Burnley don't score many goals. I'm not excited by those two at all.

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

        Here’s a tip mate

        My last minute 50:50 call was to get Ings over Zaha Guaita. Think it over

        I’ll give you the stats if you need but from 5 on it’s glorious for them. Guaita also picks up loads of saves so Chelsea United isn’t the end of the day.

        Hold Ings for a couple and move in time for GW5

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

          Think im sticking to the plan mate

          Won't captain salah for a while

          I'll have 2 x Chelsea attack and 3 united with shaw.

          Gives me team a nice feel I think - accepting the risk...

    7. KujaliaFC
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I see that people have transferred out players from Aston Villa, Burnely, and Manchester.

      Why would anyone want to do that?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          They got 0 points

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

            They knew that when they bought them though.

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

              I’m guessing many didn’t realise.
              There is a guy in my ML who captained KdB, VC Martial.

              Of the 5.5m players, the obsessed on here make up a very small percentage

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

                When you said "5.5m players", I immediately thought of Harrison (Leeds). 😀

                So user error then.

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

                  Ha, and that’s how you know you’re in the ‘obsessed’ category of FPL player!

                  I think there will be lots of casual players who genuinely didn’t realise GW1 was a blank for those players, and just saw a 0, and panic transferred them out.

                  I mean there are still people on here who ask questions about how the GWs/DGWs and blanks work. Not understanding the difference between a GW, and a calendar week.

            2. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Never underestimate the stupidity of some people.

        • Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          WC maybe ?

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

            Didn't think of that.

        • fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          They got scored that they blanked

          1. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            *annoyed

      2. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What are odds of both Bissouma and Vinagre playing? I’ve got 2x 6pointers on my bench!

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Likely Bissouma starts ... you might get lucky this vinagre but I wouldn’t be counting on any of those bench points I think.

          1. Powers106
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah, I suppose that’s why I started them, but in hindsight would have switched Holding and Bissouma, oh well it could still work out!

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

          I'm afraid i got a bad news for you !

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

        People really trying to analyse data to help pick a team?

        You guys just don’t get it, It’s all luck

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

          The classic loser's logic.

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

          It's not ALL luck, though, is it? You couldn't just pick a team absolutely at random (eg autopick) and score higher over a period of time than a team that has some conscious thought put into it, eg who is a good player, in a god team, with a propitious fixture etc

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

            Anyone involved in this game and footy in general has a good enough idea of who and where points are likely to come from.

            Whether they do or not, and who you go with as captain is just luck.

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

              That's different, then. Doesn't make it all luck

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

              Personally I always think of you pick a team of good players who in theory ought to score well, that's all you can do and you can be happy with yourself.

              Once they are picked there are a million variables that affect their scoring, but so long as they were picked well and in good faith then that's as much as you can do.

              Not one for the massive over-theorising verging on naked BS that you get too much on here

            3. Rasping Drive
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              You say that, but check out Salah’s home stats versus Aubameyang’s away stats. Salah destroys him on every single metric, even goal conversion. When faced with such numbers, it doesn’t make sense to captain Auba.

              I’m not gloating; I was on Auba (c) until I did the research. Stats do matter.

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

          Loads of luck indeed. But its a game of playing the percentages to maximize the chance of being lucky

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

          Its a mix of luck and good planning if that counts as ‘skill’ Too many people think its heavily one or the other.

        5. The Legend Squad
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          It’s like Backgammon. 1 game in isolation is a lot of luck. A casual player could beat a professional.

          But over 10 games, 100 games, 1000 games, the real pros reveal themselves.

          That’s why the Hall of Fame is such a good indicator, and those at the top are such good players

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

          The more they analyse data the luckier some people seem to get!

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

            Exactly. Like Gary Player said, "The more I practise, the luckier I get."

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

              Yep, that’s the one!

      4. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        could Chilwell be one of the best value players this season?

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yep looks good value. James would be gold if he was nailed

      5. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I wonder if the world champion and india's number 1 still went without Salah by deadline?

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yes he did. Brave call and fair play to him as his punts usually come off

        2. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          He did, but then I’m sure he’ll be doing plenty of rising later though!

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

            The clue is in the name. He says he usually starts slowly.

            1. Eat my goal!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Wasn’t he trying to correct that this yr

          2. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Exactly, probably knew salah would blank but didn't want to damage his personal brand

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

        I love the start of the season when I'm languishing at the bottom of my MLs and gradually rise to the top like cream. Guys with 75 (Salah capt) and me on 19pts.

        Smirk all ye want lads, u know il pass ye eventually.

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

          Oh 19. No Salah then? Everyone in my ML capped Salah and I didnt..

        2. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I know that feeling.

          So many times I’ve looked up at everyone else in my ML after GW1 and I’m at the bottom and they’re on top and with really high OR.

          And I know that by new year I’ll have overtaken them, and most of them will have fallen away to the point that it becomes a two horse race the rest of the way.

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

        Big day for this upside chaser - went that way last season too early on

        Two premiums with captaincy in play to break even more or less. Both are on pens in handy fixtures so who knows 😀

        Three goals between them and I’m more or less level still.

      8. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        currently own havertz and werner. but may add pulisic to them after next gw.
        think I will go united-less for a while till their fixtures turn.
        and chelsea got great run of fixtures + wolves. both look really tasty.
        thoughts ?

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

          My thoughts will come after they play. Bit pointless at the moment.

          1. Emiliano Sala
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I hope they play bad. so people will not go for them.
            but things change.

            1. Eat my goal!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Ridiculous comment - as soon as they start to play well they are easily obtainable since they are cheap

              1. Emiliano Sala
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                may be a little late and miss big hauls.

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

          My thoughts would be to relax and wait till Chelsea play first.

      9. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I like the FPL pitch that if you haven’t signed up and made your team yet and only start GW2, you could have an advantage since you get unlimited transfers and saw the results from GW1 and basically that is like 3x WC for the season. Interesting strategy maybe for a zombie team...

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          you can play gw 1 and take 40 hits and you still get 20-30 more points.

        2. fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I had a poor week though and am on 31 points with 5 to play. I could totally revamp my team with hits and still have more than zero points

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

          Its a completely illogical thing to do and makes no sense as you can take 10+ hits and still be better off than starting gw2

        4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Would you not take it one step further and wait until GW3?

          Then you’d have unlimited transfers AND the results from GW1 & GW2!

          Or even wait until GW4... or GW5....

      10. Young Lingard
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Shaw looked fantastic yesterday in the villa warm up. His value looking great of United get a solid back four in place.
        Reece James and
        Depending on their defences KWP and Lewis all look attacking bargains.
        Think the money could be here in defence

        1. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I do like Shaw, got him at the start of last season and he got 10+ points 1st GW and did pretty well for me. V tempted to bring him in as well

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

            I got shaw. Seems good option for 5m

      11. Check out my Umtiti's
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Harvey Barnes to get a brace today. You heard it here first

        1. Young Lingard
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not sure he’s starting according to fixes twitter

        2. Greasy Grealish Gang
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Only own Barnes in my second tyeam, but I support this 😀

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Second team? Ban.

            1. Fitzy.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              It'll become his first team if it scores more.

            2. Greasy Grealish Gang
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Not FPL :*

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

        Not basing it on yesterday (read: maybe slightly) but losing TAA opens a wealth of opportunities...

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I don't want to hide behind the sofa again when he is taking a free kick

        2. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Looked awful for England - needs to get fit. Chelsea and Arsenal to play so CS not expected - didn’t really see the initial appeal, aside from the attacking threat. I’ll get him when the fixtures change

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

        Are these staggered games the new norm for TV purposes? Great for FPL and the eye test, not so much for my social life at the weekends 😀

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

          For September at least

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yup, can watch every minute of every game live until Moyes gets sacked.

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

          'Weekend social life' is the mantra of the casual. Expect better from a battle hardened pro like yourself :p

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

          Thats the point, everyone stay at home

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

        How was Bowen yesterday?

        Keep him for Arsenal next or sell?

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

          I am keeping him one more GW. Not much players to shift him too in his price bracket at this point.

        2. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          West Ham as a whole looked awful

        3. Balls of Steel
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Pretty average display yesterday, would be worried if I was a Hammers fan with their run of tough fixtures!

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            West Ham fans aren’t confident about this season and those early fixtures could put them in an hole they won’t be able to get out of.

            Similar to Watford last season.

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

        If Vardy gets off to a flyer he will be the forward to have until he hits a bad patch again.

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

          Genius

          1. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Hot topic

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

            Exactly what I thought. What a revelation.

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

          So what your saying is bring in the players who are scoring well and then sell them when their form declines?

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

            * you’re

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

              * you are

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

                * a superstar

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

                  He's an anti-vaxxer. Don't expect too much insight. Just humour him.

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

            Vardy just has that nack of going on a long run of hauls.

      16. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Saliba to which 4.5 DEF? Holding, Lewis, C.Taylor, Ayling?

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

          You want leeds defence? Not for me.

          I would say Taylor is your best bet, maybe Lewis.

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

          Taylor

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

          You must have got Saliba because you rate the Arsenal defence. If so, Holding.

      17. San_Jose
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What's the best price prediction site these days? I use to use Fiso crack the code but the interface is balls. Is there a better one out there?

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

          FPL statistics

        2. fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Fplstatistics

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

          Thanks. Assuming it cant be trusted in the early game weeks while the algorithm is tweaked?

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

            Yeh, that's right.

      18. JamTart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        How are people's plans looking now?

        I know a lot had their transfers cocked and ready but has the first game changed anything with punts that went wrong or Salah getting his hattrick?

        I'm still going Ings to Martial. But it's the Bruno transfer I'm more curious about.

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

          In tatters.

          Don’t think I can get Bruno in and so will just have to settle for Martial. Need to bring in KDB and Wilson also...

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

          GW1 needs to finish first. All these early transfers going to come back to bite.

          Many getting rid of Son when he has not even played is pure kneejerk.

        3. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Had multiple plans so still very much happy to proceed with 1

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

            Me too. I have options, not plans. Still have options. Only had 4 of 18 matches played before I do anything anyway.

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

              holding my nerve.

              Sticking to the plan

              Salah and antonio to bruno and martial - 4

              Unless havertz and werner get crocked....

        4. Roysgotnoboys
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not sure how to find a United asset. 0.5M short of Martial or rashford so will wait a bit

          Palace looked better than I expected. If even say good