Scout Reports

Can Watkins transform Aston Villa attack and offer FPL points potential?

Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) landed at Villa Park last week for a club record fee of £28m, and could be the answer to many of their problems. Could he help Fantasy Premier League managers out as well?

The 24-year-old, who scored 26 goals in the Championship last term, has penned a five-year contract, and is in line to make his Premier League debut in Gameweek 2, when Aston Villa entertain Sheffield United.

Villans boss Dean Smith had been desperate to sign a new striker, and rightly so. Villa’s forwards contributed a meagre six league goals between them last season, and just two, via Wesley (£6.0m) and Mbwana Samatta (£6.0m), in 2020. 

Upon signing, Smith said of his new recruit:

“Ollie has developed into one of the most sought-after strikers in the country and we are looking forward to seeing him show his great qualities in an Aston Villa shirt. He is a hugely determined character who has both the ability and personality to succeed at the highest level.” – Dean Smith

Priced up at £6.0m by FPL, Watkins will be hoping to build on that stunning 26-goal campaign in the top tier, but for Fantasy managers, is he a viable option for our forward lines, and if so, when might be the optimum time to invest?

In this new Scout Report, we’ll attempt to answer those questions, and assess his credentials ahead of his debut.

History and Statistics

Newton Abbot-born Watkins started his career at Exeter City, where he progressed through the academy ranks. 

Having impressed for the under-18 side, a first-team debut followed in 2014, but it was a successful loan spell at Weston-super-Mare when he started turning heads, scoring 10 goals in 25 appearances for the Conference South side.

“He has a lot of talent, he could run with the ball superbly with both feet and could do the bread and butter stuff very well. His talent eventually shone through and it’s proven to be the case at Exeter. He’s got speed and as well as playing up front, is very competent on the wing. You can also play him through the middle due to his great first touch. We played a 3-4-3 formation and he played in that top three. He was very flexible and offered us so many options.” – Former Weston-super-Mare manager, Ryan Northmore

Once back at Exeter, Watkins kicked on and racked up 21 league goals across the following two seasons, which was enough for Brentford to make their move. Signed for a fee thought to be just under £2m, Watkins was initially used as a wide forward, where he scored 10 goals in each of his first two seasons. 

However, it will undoubtedly be the 2019/20 campaign he’ll be remembered for most. 

After the sale of Neal Maupay (£6.5m) to Brighton and Hove Albion, Watkins made the switch to a central striking role. The change worked wonders, as Watkins finished joint-top scorer in the Championship with 26 goals, with Brentford only narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League. 

Amazingly, every single one of those 26 goals came from open play and when you exclude penalties, Watkins scored more league goals than any other player in English football last season. 

“I normally call him the beast. He’s a remarkable player and person. He’s so dedicated. Of course, he wants to be top scorer, but that’s not his main aim. He’s so dedicated to improve every single day, so he’s a coach’s dream because of course we want to focus on little details. We’ve been working very hard on his positions and how to run in the box and the link up play. Overall, he’s just improved massively as a player and also as part of the leading group. He’s driving the team. Look out there how hard he works – it’s a joy to have a striker like that. He’s one of the hardest, if not the hardest working offensive player in the league, and he’s also the top scorer. That’s not a bad combination.” – Brentford manager, Thomas Frank

Now at Villa, Watkins will be reunited with Smith, who signed him from Exeter City when he was Brentford manager, with the player adding:

“I am so excited to join Aston Villa and to reunite with Dean Smith as my Head Coach. I cannot wait to wear the famous claret and blue in the Premier League. I want to do something special here and score some goals.” – Ollie Watkins

SeasonClubCompetitionAppsGoals
2013-14Exeter CityLeague Two10
2014-15Exeter City | Weston-Super-Mare (Loan)League Two | Conference South2 | 240 | 10
2015-16Exeter CityLeague Two208
2016-17Exeter CityLeague Two4513
2017-18BrentfordChampionship4510
2018-19BrentfordChampionship4110
2019-20BrentfordChampionship4626

Profile

Watkins is 5ft 11, and is used to leading the line having been deployed as a lone striker in a 4-3-3 at Brentford. 

He is quick, strong and extremely hard-working, and is best summed up as a complete forward, who is equally comfortable running the channels, or dropping deep to link play.

When looking at Watkins shot map from 2019/20, what shines through is that the vast majority of his shots came inside the area, while the breakdown of last season’s goals also backs up his all-rounder tag: 16 were scored from inside the penalty area, eight from inside the six-yard box, with two coming from long-range. 

He is also capable with both feet – he netted 10 with his right-foot, seven with his left-foot and eight with his head. 

That heading stat is worth noting, considering Villa finished sixth in the Premier League for crosses last season, with 798, behind only Manchester City, Liverpool, Sheffield United, Chelsea and Everton.

It didn’t take long for Watkins to convert from a cross either, as he scored the winning goal in Saturday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Manchester United, with a diving header from Trézéguet’s (£5.5m) delivery. He also opened the scoring against Burton Albion on Tuesday night.

His fitness in recent seasons is also a huge positive. Brentford played 46 league matches last term, plus three more in the play-offs, with Watkins playing every single match and missing just 10 minutes throughout. The season before he missed just five league games, and a single fixture the campaign before that. 

Prospects

The prospect of seeing Watkins line up alongside Jack Grealish (£7.0m) is exciting.

Last season, barring Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m), no player created more chances than Grealish, while as a team, Villa ranked sixth for chances created, with 369, and tenth for shots (456). The issue was that they only managed 41 goals.

If Watkins can start converting some of those Grealish chances, then you’d expect Villa to push on and avoid another relegation battle this season.

Adjusting to Villa’s system shouldn’t take long, with both Brentford and Villa favouring a 4-3-3, while his position in the starting XI is also secure, as he will immediately move ahead of Samatta, Keinan Davis (£4.5m) and Wesley in the pecking order. Essentially, it will be his place to lose.

So, when might be the ideal time to invest?

I’ve seen some suggest Gameweek 9, but I think we should be looking at Gameweek 6 when Villa have six home ties in 10 matches, against Leeds United, Southampton, Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Burnley and Crystal Palace. 

Add in a couple of decent looking away trips to West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion, and I think this run of fixtures looks pretty appealing.

Villa’s fixtures from Gameweeks 6 to 15

Villa have been crying out for a clinical finisher who is able to score with his head and feet ever since Tammy Abraham (£7.5) returned to Chelsea in the summer of 2019, and in Watkins, I think they may well have found their man.

That being said, the Premier League is a completely different level to the Championship, so some caution is required. 

Nevertheless, FPL managers have reason to be excited with Watkins coming in at just £6.0m. 

Right now, I’d suggest scouting him over the next few weeks, and if progressing as I expect him too, make a move ahead of Gameweek 6.

His statistics from the last campaign certainly suggest he should be able to make an immediate impression, and if he were to hit around 12 league goals this season, I think that would be deemed a success, and would no doubt go a long way towards helping Villa avoid another season languishing near the bottom of the table.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 1

1,855 Comments Post a Comment
  1. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can’t help but feel all United assets are overpriced this season. You cannot convince me Martial will outscore Jimenez and Werner over the coming 6-8 GW’s, now will Bruno offer better value than KDB Salah and even James Rodriguez and the best Chelsea mid option.

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

      Martial was a man possessed post restart

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Their fixtures were also exceptional in comparison to their difficult upcoming run. Their match ups are not great

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

          He was excellent before too and scored in big games, Pogba and Fernandes provide tons of creativity for him with which he is thriving.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno is not underpriced one bit imo. And neither is Martial. Only Rashford is for me.

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

      Not got a lot to beat in the Chelsea mid department right now

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Pulisic and Ziyech haven’t even kicked a ball yet!

    4. mb1983
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've gone for Bruno for GW2 onwards. He could turn out to be overpriced (like any player could), but if he continues on recent form he could have a huge score for the season. He's on everything, gets goals and assists, plays in a team that can run up the score, etc.

      Agree with you about Jimenez over Martial though.

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

      I think you're completely wrong.

      I think United players are all underpriced. Martial got 6g 6a in 9 games post restart. That's monstrous. He was like the 2nd or 3rd highest scoring player in the game. He's now 9m, a whole 3m less than Salah.

      Rashford would have got 198 points last season if he were a mid. He's 9.5m. Fernandes needs no more introduction. If he had continued at his rate post lockdown, he would have gotten 320 points. If he delivers at only 70% of that amount, that's still 240 points which would have been more than Aubameyang.

      Then there's Greenwood...

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

        Agree with this

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

      Are you talking about the next few weeks or the entire season? I agree their fixture run is poor until GW9, but I would make a case for Martial, Fernandes and Greenwood all being underpriced.

    7. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like Rashford this year, midfielder have more point source (extra goal point, cs)

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

      Greenwood + Foden are 2 cheap ways in to MU/MC attack and this is the season they explode.

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

    Alli bound to drop in price tonight ain't it?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Seems that way

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

      Soaking it up?

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

    Gareth Bale has reportedly returned to Spurs. What price would you expect him to be given his recent troubles?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably 9.0 to match Son

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

      Who knows! 10.5?

    3. Party time
        3 years, 6 months ago

        8.5

      • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        9.0

      • Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        12 if it were peak Bale.
        Same as Son seems reasonable.

        1. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Unfortunately peak Bale has been lost forever in the golf courses of Madrid

      • wheato
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think 10

      • sambyy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        8.0

      • Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        10m. Not interested.

      • Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        9M MID

      • Dr Van Nostrand
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No he hasn't. They are just in talks. He would like to return but also would like to keep his £650k a week salary. Do you see Spurs paying anywhere near that?

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

          One of Madrid's best journalist has said the deal is agreed. Spurs will pay a part of it and purchase him on loan.

          1. Dr Van Nostrand
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Do you have a link?

              1. Dr Van Nostrand
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                This journalist hasn't confirmed anything yet regarding Bale. Just vaguely says in a reply to someone that "he's leaving"

        2. Mighty Banana
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Think it's 600k and Spurs may only need to pay 50% of that, so £300k.

          Kane is paid 200k, so getting in Bale for 50% more than their highest earner is questionable, may not help team morale either.

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

            Their dismal performance this weekend will help the high-earners suck up his pay - so long as he does well. It's okay for a year. What would destroy morale is if he sat out his 3-year contract on that money and cba. Only committing to a one-year loan is canny and necessary business by Levy.

      • Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        9/9.5

        I wouldn't pay more than 8.

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

          Less than Bruno, significantly more than Alli. Maybe same as Son but my hunch is 9.5m
          If he's too cheap, everyone jumps on him. If he's top of mid-price the danger is he gets off to a classy start then everyone is on him and perma-captaining him. He has to be priced at a point that if he does well, he leaves us with a decision.

      • Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Will make spurs worse, according to TalkSPORT it was levy’s decision not mourinho so think it may upset a few!!

      • Babelcopter
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same as James Rodriguez would be fair price. He is not top player anymore.

      • Dr Van Nostrand
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        BS post mate. Nothing is confirmed yet

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

      McCarthy
      TAA Taylor Justin
      Salah Auba(C) Pulisic Soucek
      Werner Martial Mitro

      Steer Mitchell Bissouma Vinegar

      0.0ITB 0FT

      G2g?

      Thanks all,

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not great, but it'll do. Might nudge Bissouma ahead of Mitchell on bench, in case a non-def is called on - pretty attacking vs Chelsea.

      2. Tinker Nat
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Looks good. Is Vinarge playing now?

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

      Alli > Rodríguez (-4)

      Y or N?

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

        Y

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

        Y

      3. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure about that. Got the same issue.

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

        Y

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

        Y

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

      Adams + Son >> Podence + Martial (-4)

      do it?

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Na. Rather have Adams than Podence.

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

          can't do Son >> Bruno with out taking out Adams or TAA .. keep Son?

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Go on then. I'd rather go a different 5.5 though. Klitch, Harrison, Doucoure?

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

        Looks good, could pay back the -4 in next 1-2 GWs itself

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

        Son to Rashford

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

          0.5 short

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

      play one:

      A) Saiss
      B) KWP
      C) Mitchell

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

        Saiss

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hmm. Not C.

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

        A

      4. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bookies much prefer KWP for CS

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

          nice, i'll let that decide for me, cheers

    8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm tempted by Wood over Wilson.
      Is that a good or bad idea?

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

        Good imo

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers

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

        Didn't Wilson create & get loads of chances in GW1?

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Was playing against West Ham.. but yeah, he looked good.

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

          Fixtures are crappy for attacking returns imo.

          They were also against a very poor West Ham defence.

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

        Wood is good.

        In my GW3 plans unless Burnley sell McNeil.

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Fixtures are golden!

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

            Aye. A part of the reason why I booked in a GW3 WC pre-season. City, Wolves, Chelsea have decent ones too.

      4. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Looks like Newc set up is to feed Wilson

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          But it's Newcastle (haha)

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

        Both will tick over to somewhere between 10-15 goals this season

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Wood has 15 + goals in him if he can stay fit!

    9. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      How does it look for the weekend?

      McCarthy
      TAA Justin KWP
      Salah Auba Son AsM Soucek
      Werner Martial

      PeacockF; Vinagre, Mitchell, Davis

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Auba(c)

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Pretty good

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

        Good

    10. Patty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Worth shipping Alli to James this week or wait it out?

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

        I did. seems the popular move

      2. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        For free? Then I would.

    11. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      TAA & Pulisic (own Robertson)
      to
      Digne & Fernandes (-4)

      Yes or No?

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

        If you liked TAA at the start of the season I don't think the Leeds game should change that opinion.

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

          More of a fund generator, I feel Digne offers more over the next course of fixtures though and there's no hiding that TAA looked poor against Leeds.

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

            Go for it, Willy; come over to the dark side!

      2. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        TAA out is never a great idea.

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

        TAA has the ability to rack up 3 assists & a clean sheet in one match, he must be saved

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

        I’d do those moves for sure

    12. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz to Rashford for a -4 this week?
      Or give Havertz one more chance and see how he looks?

      Mccarthy
      Dier TAA Justin
      Auba Salah JamesR Havertz Soucek
      Adams Werner
      Steer Mitchell Vinagre Davies

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I would as you have no other Utd

    13. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      So it seems I can only have two from Auba, Salah, KDB and Bruno

      I'm leaning towards Auba and KDB, is this wise for the short term?

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

        I'd say Auba's fixtures aren't the best. I've also worked out I can get 3 of Auba, KDB, Bruno, Salah and Werner. I've got Werner and Bruno and will go for KDB in GW3, thus missing out on Auba and .... Salah.

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

          So tough to choose, will think on it

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I've got 3 of those and 4 of Andy's options.
        Auba the one to lose after this week.

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

        I've got Salah Auba & Bruno, will swap Auba for KDB after this GW.
        Team below

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

        I’ve managed 3 of those I chose to get rid of salah in favour of having the other 3

    14. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Draft one: Bowen or Jota?

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

        Bowen

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

          Neither with West Ham's fixtures and Jota's minutes

    15. Silver_and_Gold
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who do you think is a penalty taker now in Everton, assuming Sigurdsson is on the bench?

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

        Hames

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        James most likely. Digne would be GOLD and is a possibility

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

          One career penalty (scores) in 12/13

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

            Difference is he was at clubs that already had a penalty taker and and that too a big name

            Current everton oen taker not even starting and isnt that bug a name

        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Could be Richarlison too, no?

          I imagine it's between Rich and James.

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            DCL more likely than Rich

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

          Indeed Digne would be great, but I'm afraid it's James.

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

        James

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          We'll find out this week when West Brom give them away

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I'd think Richa he seems the type to eagerly want them

          2. Hattrick Harry
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Richarlison is on penalties

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

              Any trustworthy source, or just your gut feeling?

        • Wivanee
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Who is your differential?

          I can't look beyond Maddison at 7m

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

            Barnes > Maddison

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

              Maddison on set pieces though isn't he?

              1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Yep

          2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Wood probably

          3. Baron Saturday
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I also like Maddison, but Barnes looked decent on the weekend too.

            So far I'm on JWP (6.0) and Rodriguez (7.5)

        • FourLokoLeipzig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Part of the reason I risked Vinagre was I thought my first three defenders were nailed: TAA, Digne, and... Ben Davies. Looks like I’ll be using my two free transfers on defenders rather than big-hitting Manchester or Chelsea attackers...

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

            Would like to see the rest of your squad

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

              McCarthy (Steer)

              Davies / TAA / Digne (Vinagre / Mitchell)

              Salah / Son / Alli / Pereira (Soucek)

              Mitro / Werner / Martial

          2. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Well Digne looks to have been a canny choice. I'd keep Trent.

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

              Oh, I’m keeping Trent (although actually think Robbo might outscore him for the next month or two)

        • RichieW
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          G2G?

          McCarthy
          Justin Digne Shaw Davies
          Salah Auba(c) Bruno Rodriguez
          Martial Wilson

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

            Very nice

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

              Cheers,
              Plan is Auba>KDB then Justin>Saiss, will prob miss out on a price hike though.

          2. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Going to be difficult without WC. Far too heavy on United imo

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

              Don't see anything wrong with 5.0m def from one of the best defences last season and Bruno will be staying put for the season along with KDB and Salah. Martial is an easy switch to Werner if I need to, have 0.5itb

        • waltzingmatildas
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Want to save my WC, but feel like I need to be a little aggressive in making up "No Salah"

          A) Mane to Bruno
          B) Werner to Martial
          C) Mane and Ings to Bruno and Richarlison (-4)
          D) Pulisic and Ings to Bruno and Wilson (-4)
          E) Werner and Adams to Martial and Wilson (-4)
          F) Pulisic, Ings and Adams to Bruno, Richarlison and Brewster (-8)

        • Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          5.5 mid choices:
          Harisson Klich Doucoure Podence Diangana

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

            Podence now but has a lot of competition

          2. Hattrick Harry
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Harrison, Klich and Diangana are nailed, others in rotation

        • Reddonkeyham 42
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          What's the fixture swing people are wetting themselves over

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

            Give me triple Wolves from GW3. Especially if they're good against City

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

            GW10 for me. Would love to hang onto my WC that long.

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

            GW10 fixture swing causes tsunamis

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

              GW10 has a huge swing for City and Liverpool too. But by then you should have more than enough time to plan how to get those guys in while already sitting pretty with your hauls from the 3-7 run of games.

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

                Positive fixture swings for City, Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa. Negative fixture swings for Spurs, Everton and Wolves.

                Depends on your team really, my team was built around GW3 WC so I'm fine at the moment. I would still advise the GW10 WC though, as you can lots of information and can avoid international breaks and CL/EL, learn about DGWs/BGWs, plus the fixture swings are extremely significant.

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

                  True. It's between 3 and 10 for me. 3 is extremely tempting. Otherwise I will be late on the Wolves train.

          4. waltzingmatildas
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Only one I can really see is Wolves. Might be missing something though

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

            GW3 runs include:

            Wolves: whu FUL lee NEW CRY lei SOU
            Everton: cry BHA LIV sou new
            City: LEI lee ARS whu shu
            Chelsea: wba CRY SOU mun bur SHU new

            How many of these guys have you got in your side now?

            At the moment, I have just 2 Chelsea, 1 Everton.

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

              1-2 City (after GW3), 1 Everton, 2 Chelsea, 0 Wolves because Nuno is an absolute fraud

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

                Yeah well, Wolves defense is priority honestly imo.

                I'm really considering getting a double up and just forget about it until GW10.

                TAA/Robbo, Saiss, Marcal, Lamptey, Ferguson

                Done. See you again in GW10 when Wolves have 5 clean sheets. That run of games is truly outstanding.

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

                  You're right, Wolves defense with Boly is world class and so is that run of fixtures. For me though, it's not worth the usage of my WC. Saiss on my radar for a transfer in as a straight swap from Davies or an upgrade on White/KWP.

            2. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Will have 2 City, 2 Everton, 1 Chelsea and 1-2 Wolves with just a -4. Don’t think it justifies a WC

        • BarryManilows
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Bale is a must if he returns he’s world class just because zidane hasn’t played him for a couple of seasons doesn’t mean he’s rubbish, he is quality & will outscore most mids

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

            Depends on his price and his fitness levels

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 6 months ago

              This, those writing him off don't have a clue. His ability is still top level, the only argument against him should be around price and his injury proneness, not whether he is good enough or not

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

              Will probably always have a place in my team after captaining his boxing day hattrick vs. Villa many moons ago

              Biggest regret is that Utd never managed to get him, would have been perfect successor to CR7

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

            I perform correct the first GW, 87 points, but I'm actually thinking about to use my WC now. This is why:

            -Now the game really start with all teams so I can get the team I expected
            -there will be no DGW before January

            -I don't expect my team to do the job next GW
            -I don't like hits

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

            Following up on those advocating early wildcard: Yes it allows you to get an early advantage, but imho when covid19 cancellations kick in later this autumn, you will sorely regret having used it.

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

              Yeah I agree come winter we’ll all be locked down again as will football

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

                Glass half full kind of guy?

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

              A few hits then

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

                "a few" ??
                Appreciate your optimsm 😉

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

              I'm not living in fear of something that may or may not happen.

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

                If hits don't cover it, and it's a major lockdown, FPL should give us another WC again, right?

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

                  I guess FPL would do something in those circumstances. But say just two of the top teams like Liverpool and City are quarantined for two GW's, then I'd like to have a wildcard in hand.

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

                    Fair enough.

                    I meant to use the word "fear" more in a functional sense, but it came across emotional.

                    I don't want the anticipation of something that might not even happen to hinder my points. I can see mammoth benefit to using the WC GW3, and I believe it will boost my points more than I'd lose from Covid. I think you're crippling yourself by being too concerned about an uncertain future.

              2. Pompel
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Well "fear" is a bit strong word, it's only a game. More a personal assessment of various risks

          5. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Who is on pens for Everton if Siggy is off the pitch?

            Siggy not the best of penalty takers, anyway.

            1. Niho992
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              James

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

                Just a guess?

            2. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Discussed above. Most likely James. Digne/DCL next in line imo

            3. Hattrick Harry
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Richarlison takes penalties

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

                Do you have him in your team?

              2. IRBOX ⚽
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                No evidence of that. Has taken three his entire career and he lacks composure in front of goal

          6. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Bavies seems awful pick imo after Reguilon come

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

              Probably depends if they go with full on wing backs and if he then plays on the left of a 3. Attack threat will go though.

            2. Fulchester's New Centr…
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks Capt Hindsight, but yes, agree.
              Saiss, Keane or Shaw easy swap.

              1. Niho992
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                I have him too. Just saying

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

              Easy switch to Saiss.

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

            Alli > Rodriguez -0 ?

            I have:
            DCL
            No united
            No city

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

              If you have ings as well that move could fund Ings to martial

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

            -4 Taken. think im g2g?

            McCarthy
            TAA Egan Justin
            Auba(c) ASM Bruno Soucek Salah
            Werner DCL

          9. Fuddled FC
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Would you do?

            a) Alli > James R
            b) Alli & Werne > James R & Martial

            I also have Havertz and I have no idea what to do with him
            c) Alli & Havertz > ? & ?

          10. hewittj1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            What would you do here? Bank a transfer?

            McCarthy Nyland
            TAA Digne Dier KWP Ferguson
            Salah Auba Son Pereira Bissouma
            Wener DCL Brewster

            1. hewittj1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              main concern is Pereira, son, dier and how to get on City + Utd assets

            2. One Man
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Bank.