Scout Notes

Why Man United assets were so poor as Zaha strengthens case for FPL inclusion

Man United 1-3 Crystal Palace

  • Goals: Donny van de Beek (£7.0m) | Andros Townsend (£6.0m), Wilfried Zaha x2 (£7.0m)
  • Assists: Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m), Jordan Ayew (£6.0m), Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m)
  • Bonus Points: Zaha x3, A Townsend x2, Schlupp x1

Manchester United look far from ready to command Fantasy Premier League investment this season after their disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

Having missed the first Gameweek of the season, the Red Devils looked rusty and devoid of ideas as Roy Hodgson’s men constantly exploited their high defensive line and poor passing.

24.6% of Fantasy managers decided to go into Gameweek 2 with Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) in their team, but their enthusiasm for the premium midfielder went unrewarded.

The Eye Test - What Are We Looking For?

Not only did the Portuguese international register a blank, but there were also very few promising signs or bad luck either. After non-stop contributions to club and country between the end of 2019/20 and beginning of the new campaign, Fernandes looked exhausted against Crystal Palace and his FPL owners may already be concerned about how much he can contribute in the coming Gameweeks.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing for Fernandes and his band of Fantasy followers was how much defending he was tasked with. As he and his Manchester United colleagues were sloppy in possession at Old Trafford, Fernandes was forced to recover the ball on multiple occasions. Ironically, he was probably one of United’s best players in this department, but anyone with a £10.5m midfielder in their Fantasy team does not want to see him fulfilling the so-called Makélélé role, no matter how well he does so.

Of even greater concern for Fernandes’ owners was the impact that new signing Donny van de Beek (£7.0m) had once he arrived on the pitch. The Dutchman came on for Paul Pogba (£8.0m) in the 67th minute, tasked with number 10 duties, pushing Fernandes back into a deeper role alongside Scott McTominay (£5.0m).

“Paul (Pogba) has been training really well since he came back and for Donny (van de Beek) it’s his first game, so that’s (why he doesn’t start) today.” – Ole Gunnar Solskajer, speaking pre-match

Crucially, van de Beek was one of only a few United assets who looked fresh and ready for the campaign, and his 80th-minute goal will surely help him work into Solskjaer’s plans for the Gameweek 3 trip to Brighton. If van de Beek does indeed start at the Amex Stadium, assessing his on-the-pitch relationship with Fernandes will be a vital monitoring exercise for Fantasy managers.

With their most creative player not at his best, Manchester United’s other attacking assets were starved of quality service and also offered very little. Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) was virtually anonymous despite facing a favourable match-up with Crystal Palace’s right-back Joel Ward (£4.5m). 

Meanwhile, Solskjaer was forced into deploying Daniel James (£6.5m) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (£4.5m) on the right-hand side of attacking midfield and defence, in light of short pre-seasons for Mason Greenwood (£7.5m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m), both of whom were on the bench. The second-choice pairing did not work out even remotely, perhaps no surprise considering how rarely the two players have featured together.

As a result of Fernandes, Rashford and James putting in toothless displays, Anthony Martial (£9.0m) was left to feed off scraps in an isolated lone forward’s furrow. 

Greenwood admittedly added a bit of energy on the right once he replaced James at half time but it was still not enough. The mid-priced midfielder should have scored United’s first goal of the season when he nodded a Fosu-Mensah cross wide at the far post. Despite that miss, he will almost certainly be back in the team for Gameweek 3, which might help get the Red Devils’ attacking going.

“Let’s see if we need (Greenwood). He’s always a good option to have on the bench. He’s had a shorter pre-season than what we hoped for. That’s the reason behind a few of the calls so far (including Matić and Wan-Bissaka).” – Ole Gunnar Solskajer, speaking pre-match

Either way, it was clear from Manchester United’s rusty performance that improvement is needed before they can command the same level of Fantasy power as they did during Project Restart. The fact that they missed Gameweek 1 and had a short turnaround between the end of last season and the beginning of this really showed, the number of players involved on international duty not helping either.

“We had a long season last season and we didn’t finish until August 16 and we have not had enough preparation time to be sharper. We’ve worked hard with the ones who’ve been here, there have been a few players away on internationals.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

By comparison, Palace managed to spend pre-season playing four friendlies, getting their first league match out of the way last weekend. 

As a result, the difference between the two sides at Old Trafford could not have been more obvious. It was the Eagles who spent the majority of the game on the front foot and asking difficult questions of their opponents, beating their illustrious hosts for shots in the box and efforts on target.

As already mentioned, a combination of a high defensive line and the immobility of Harry Maguire (£5.5m) and Victor Lindelöf (£5.0m) enabled Palace’s rapid front-men to spend nearly all afternoon bearing down on David de Gea (£5.5m) in sweeping counter-attacking moves.

That first paid dividends for Hodgson’s men in the seventh minute when Fosu-Mensah got caught in possession high up the pitch, allowing Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m) to press into the vacated right-back space and drag Lindelöf over. Unsurprisingly, the former Leicester man got behind the centre-back easily, flashing a ball across Maguire and Luke Shaw (£5.0m), which was turned in by an unmarked Townsend at the far post.

Just before half time, Palace embarked on another dangerous counter. Zaha powered through the middle, rode the challenge of Fernandes and played Ayew in on the left, who cut inside and saw his ferocious shot tipped over the bar by de Gea.

After the resulting corner progressed to the second phase, Zaha harried possession back on the left-hand side, cutting inside himself and rippling the side-netting.

Ayew and Townsend doubled-up on McTominay in the middle shortly after half-time, catching him out and bearing down on de Gea once more. This time the former Swansea man burst through the middle, had the chance to play it wide to Zaha, but elected to blast an effort straight at the goalkeeper.

Maguire was at fault in the 66th minute when he lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Ayew to play Zaha into a one-on-one. The Ivorian international fired into De Gea’s net but the goal was overturned for offside.

Two minutes later, Palace had a penalty after a lovely dummy from Townsend had sent Ayew through on goal, his shot blocked by Lindelöf, supposedly with his hand, according to VAR. The forward initially had his penalty saved but it was ordered to be retaken as De Gea was off his line. Zaha stood up to dispatch the re-take. There was plenty of controversy about the goal, but United deserved to be 2-0 down, there was no debate about that.

Where this leaves the penalty situation at Palace is somewhat unclear. Hodgson admitted after the game that the decision to let Zaha take the second one was because he did not want the risk of Ayew having to re-take it. However, penalty expert of recent years Luka Milivojevic (£6.0m) made a second successive substitute’s appearance so could be back in the starting line-up next time.

“I don’t think it’s good for a player to miss a penalty and immediately take another one. His confidence is affected by the miss, it wasn’t a good penalty, it was a fairly comfortable save for De Gea. And I’m sure, if I had allowed him to take (the second) penalty, he might well have scored it. But I didn’t think it was a good idea to take that chance.” – Roy Hodgson

Zaha then added the Eagles’ third as United overstretched to find a late equaliser. He recovered an intended pass from Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) to finish United off in the 85th minute.

“You can see we are short and they deserved the points. They were sharper than us in challenges, tackles. We started off slowly and that had a knock-on effect for the rest of the game when they got the first goal.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Zaha now has three goals in his first two league games of the campaign, recorded after impressing in pre-season too. His centre-forward role is combining well with a midfield classification and the fixtures are appealing too.

Palace host an in-form Everton in Gameweek 3, but Saturday afternoon highlighted just how many issues remain among Carlo Ancelotti’s defenders. After that, Hodgson’s men face Brighton (home), Fulham (away) and Leeds (home) between Gameweeks 5 and 8.

The Gameweek 4 trip to Chelsea looks tough on paper, but it turns out that Palace are arguably one of the most trustworthy sides when facing so-called bigger clubs. Since May 2015, they have now won nine matches away from home against the Premier League’s big-six, Manchester City the only outfit with more road victories against such opposition (10).

That could also mean good things for Townsend, who has offered value over the first two matches of the campaign. He now has an attacking return in each outing so far this season, and at £6.0m might be slightly easier to fit into a Fantasy team than Zaha.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelöf, Fosu-Mensah (Ighalo 81′); Pogba (van de Beek 67′), McTominay; Rashford, B Fernandes, D James (Greenwood 46′); Martial.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; Mitchell, Sakho, Kouyaté, J Ward; Schlupp (Eze 75′), McCarthy (Milivojevic 88′), McArthur, Townsend; Zaha, Ayew (Batshuayi 81′).

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 2

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1,431 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pulled WC last night. With no City or Wolves cover and the fixture swings, it felt right.

    Time to see if I can fit in all 3 of Salah, KDB and Sterling!

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Impossible to fit all 3 unless you're happy with cheap strikers or no premium defenders.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        What's wrong with cheap strikers?

        And you can still have Trent.

    2. KGFC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same here buddy
      Tried doing that too. Prefer the draft with only two premium mids. But if you crack the code, do share 😛

  2. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which one would you get to play every week for next few ?

    1. RJames
    2. Saiss
    3. Taylor

    Tempted by RJames tbh

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        James is a great option but may get the odd random benching

    2. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Chilwell back. 2

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        when is he back?

  3. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I think UTD will struggle this season. Bruno was never going to keep up with the way he sterted for them last season. Now he wil likely play a deeper role with Donny entering the picture.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not every defence is as well organised as Palace’s

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        But it was still Crystal Palace and not 1994 AC Milan

      2. FOO FIGHTER
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Point is Bruno will not do as well for UTD compared to last season.

        1. Flair
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Bruno was never going to do as well as last season, but he can certainly justify his price overall.

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Just after one game?

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He will end up deeper with VDB in the picture.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It’s one game... VDB won’t be playing no.10 over Bruno every week. It was a decision to restructure because Pogba went off.

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not necessarily if you look at the history of VDB. This was talked about quite a bit when the signing was made.

  4. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Watched the game last night with my 10 year old. She was gutted that pen was retaken as she picked De Gea! It's getting tedious now as you don't know the outcome of what your watching live.

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Eff VAR!

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It’s great for the neutral to watch Man United fans cry though.

  5. palace ash
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Eagles!

    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha looks immense up front

  6. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Surely there isn't a better wc draft than this?

    Mccarthy (Nyland)
    Digne Saiss Mitchell (Justin Buur)
    Salah KDB Rodriguez Zaha (Bissouma)
    Werner Jimenez DCL

    0.1 itb

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Until GW3 arrives...

    2. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      its v strong. Give you that

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mitchell, Justin and Burr could be an issue next month

    4. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Needs Robbo/Trent

    5. Whiskerz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Digne may sray good for some attacking returns, but i don't see many clean sheets in his future.

    6. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      So far, until. KdB, Sterling and Mahrez and Jesus and Co. Enter the fray.

      Pulisic and other Chelsea midfielders return.

      And Martial, Rashford and Greenwood and Bruno find their shooting boots at United.

      And Burnley defence haven't even played yet!

  7. davies
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Adams owners...

    What’s your plan if he’s benched/blanks today?

    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      See how he plays/how many minutes he gets

    2. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Went Tues for DCL!

    3. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wildcard

      Have other things to sort...if he’s benched it’ll confirm I need to press the button

    4. palace ash
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sold him last night. Alli and Adams to Hames and DCL. Wish i had gone a week earlier.

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ditched for dcl!

    6. DAZZ
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I dumped him last night for DCL. And Auba > Hamez. If my other assets get benched today, likes of Doherty, ASM, i’ll pull the trigger

  8. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Got 57 with 4 to go on wildcard. Would you be happy with this so far?

    Got loads rising in value too, usually get wildcards wrong but feel ok with this one so far.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Link your team and we’ll let you know

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Martinez Button
        Digne Tierney Ayling Justin Mitchell
        Aubameyang Salah Bruno Hames Jorginho
        DCL Bamford Wilson

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Nice work with the front two, with Callum to come against Brighton who he usually scores well against

          1. Right In The Stanchion
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Defence was a big let down. Digne and Tierny in trouble

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Digne looked great and created loads of chances and hit the crossbar. Wouldn’t worry there at all.

              Tierney I’m not sure about, he’s not quite the budget Robertson I hoped he would be.

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      As long as the arrows are green, all good...

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      most have 6 players to go, expect a red arrow if the players you don’t have haul

  9. Flair
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Everton vs Palace will be very, very intriguing.

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looking forward to that one for sure.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Agreed, unstoppable force vs immovable object

    3. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Everton win again.

    4. Whiskerz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Score draw. 2-2

    5. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Surprised to see Palace doing so well with probably the worst back I've ever seen.

      1. palace ash
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        That's a bit harsh.
        Guaita - one of the best keepers in the league.
        Ward - so reliable
        Kouyate - plays CB for country
        Sakho - has a mistake in him, but can be immense
        Mitchell - hot prospect

        Plus the Roy defensive masterclass.

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Ward is far from reliable

          1. palace ash
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            201 appearances
            80% successful tackles

            #UnsungHero

            By comparison, AWB has 60% successful tackles

        2. GreennRed
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Roy is a doddery auld lad according to 'some'. They need to look at his CV and show some respect. Clubs have failed to reach or stay in PL with much bigger funds than he has to work with.

    6. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      We all know Palace are going to do a Leicester - Uncle Roy reedemed, awarded a knighthood and retires to a life of sighseeing with Ray Lewington.

  10. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Plan was almost to lose Tierney after this week, best replacement R.James with the fixtures coming up?

    Or go with the safer option of Saiss?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saiss is safer but James will do well in the games he starts

      1. Amey
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        James instead of Soucek (0.5) is what I'm thinking. Starting him in easy games ...

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saiss

    3. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Disappointed with him yesterday, do want to keep him but it might be for the best he’s sold

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'd like to keep him too but the negatives of not much attacking threat in gw1, the unfortunate no show in gw2 & the upcoming fixtures that don't smell like clean sheets (apart from gw4) make him more or less too expensive.

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Get Saiss quick before his left foot, right foot, bullet header hattie against City.

    5. Whiskerz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saiss imo. More secure starts and better fixtures in a more defensively minded team.

  11. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Results will still be up and down until stadiums have fans again. The current situation feels like training matches tbf with fake AF crowd noise.

    Really has taken the edge off of watching football.

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Glad I have been watching football without noise since couple of years, feels same for me 😀

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I've done the same. So much better without commentator drivel. If you go to a match you don't have to tolerate such drivel, just proper crowd reaction. Now we've got a 75" tv even less reason to put on the sound!

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      try it with sound off and subtitles on.

    3. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I heard Dion Dublin says he picks the without fake crowd noise option so he can hear the calls, listen to the talkers and leaders on the pitch. An interesting angle.

  12. Ginkapo FPL
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Whose playing Fulham next week?

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish and co.

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Shame about their fixtures after

    2. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Another possible whipping boys 😀

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don't know, but I think they score a few.

      1. GreennRed
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Club Mitro

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Not worried about Mitro - it is the other 10.

          1. GreennRed
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I'm happy enough with the other 10 being average or less if Mitro gets me points. Even inconsistently, 6m is decent 😉

  13. drughi
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ings punish those sellers

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry, but it will be non-price dropping Adams that will get Jose sacked.

  14. Sandesh_
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Jamez or zaha??? .have Dcl

    1. Roysgotnoboys
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wondering the same thing

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Get Wilf while he is hot.

  15. PapaWengzz
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Davies could yet start if spurs shift to 343 as predicted. Not sure why there is such a rush to get rid even taking a hit?

    1. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You're 2 days late telling me that 🙂

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Im just trying to understand this myself as I own him too. Good fixtures, shift to back 3 could make them better defensively...If he continues to start i don't think its worth the transfer.

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Let's see what happens. If they do go to a 3 he is no longer such an urgent sell, but unless Spurs really shape up, will need to go eventually.

          1. PapaWengzz
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah i guess we'll only surely find out next GW. So i wouldn't be taking a hit to sell

  16. JurgenRodgers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Captain looks tricky Gw3..

    Salah/City Werner going to be a tough call

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Shame Pulisic isn’t fit enough to be an option

    2. drughi
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      KDB(C)

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Leicester most penalties (9) conceded last season

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm hoping Werner can be a regular choice for cap - makes things a lot easier.

    4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Werner - no brainer

  17. Whiskerz
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Opinions please, on this WC draft.

    Guiata . 4.0
    Robbo . Saiss. Taylor . Mitchell . Burr
    KDB/Sterling . Bruno . Jamez . Zaha . Biss
    Jimi . DCL . Werner

    Trying to hit Palace and Wolves tasty fixtures. Not fully sold on double Everton, or Bruno but the quantity of penalties so far make me lean to him from Utd.

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      As soon as you rely on teams like Palace they let you down. They beat good teams and then lose to easy ones. I wouldn’t triple up at all

      1. Whiskerz
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Who would you lose of the 3?

        1. Right In The Stanchion
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I just wouldn’t wouldn’t play double defence, but if you feel lucky go for it...

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno seriously?

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd try and get another 0.5 on the bench, maybe by dropping Guiata down to a 4.5. Like Stanchion says, Palace not to be relied on.

  18. Miguel Sanchez
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish (ful) my current bus captain until I make changes. Might not be the worst shout.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bit too radical?
      Imagine how you'd feel if it is the new Villa centre forward who hauls.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I won’t go through with it once I bring in Sterling or Werner perhaps

    2. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You're kidding if you're saying you ain't © one of your own 😉

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure about the supply line to Werner just yet.

  19. Kryptonite666
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Super confused and struggling a little bit. What would you do with 2 FT ?

    McCarthy

    TAA Robertson KWP Justin Taylor

    Auba Salah Son ASM (Soucek)

    Werner Mitrovic (Davis)

    Is getting DCL worth ripping up the team structure? Or should I go for the easy Son to Hamez ?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Auab to City to start and see.
      Don't rip up your whole team for one player especially DCL.

  20. Kodap
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is this a decent WC draft? My chip is active & avoided a few price rises, any changes?

    Martinez
    Trent - Saiss - RJames
    Salah - KDB - Jrod - Klich
    Werner - Bamford - Jimmy

    Subs: Steer, Lewis, Justin & Bissouma

    0.2m ITB

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No DCL?

      1. GreennRed
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Balance. Looks good. Maybe Mitchell for Justin or Lewis and upgrade Martinez? No point in leaving 0.5m on bench if you can get more points from a more CS friendlybkeeper.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Decent.
      Even if Rick James dropped for Azpi, couple of other 5.0 options available..

  21. M2.0
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    on WC:

    a) TAA + Saiss
    b) VVD + Digne

    cheers

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  22. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Soucek and Martial to Zaha and DCL worth a minus 4?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No, it’s massive points chasing after Martial has had one game

      1. Amey
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yup

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No, chasing points not worth it

  23. The Tinkerman
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek, Auba > KDB, Podence? (2FT)

    McCarthy (4.0)
    TAA, James, Taylor (Justin, Mitchell)
    _____, Salah, Son, ____ (Biss)
    Werner, Richarlison, Mitro

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Like it tbh.

    2. Goonsquad245
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Might do similar for a hit, so it’s a go from me

  24. Bielsa Murderball
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    is bruno to zaha worth a -4?

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It's not worth it for free.

    2. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Only for -12

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Is this a joke?

  25. 7rjngs lollygagger
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Just looked at headline

    Could have been the same headline last week with Southampton. Connection made?

    1. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Congratulations Pingi 🙂
      Well deserved win !

      1. 7rjngs lollygagger
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        All my own work 😀

        Good value for the scoreline no? Posted on other article with possible parallels with that Leicester season 🙂

        Seasoned manager
        Relegation favourites
        Hot start
        1-0 specialists
        Mahrez replacement

        Not the same result naturally but a Roy Fulham like season definitely possible. Had Palace possibly forcing me into WC week 5 preseason - now just going a couple of weeks early.

  26. Red Red Robins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, bit of a shocker yesterday. No Salah GW1 and no DCL GW2.
    Just done KDB for Auba, any advice on my team would be greatly appreciated - this is next weeks line up
    Pickford
    TAA Robbo Justin
    Biss KDB Havertz Fernandes Soucek
    Martial Werner
    Button Justin Mitchel Vassilev

    I have 0.5 in the bank, thinking of upgrading a 4.5 def to Saiss and if i drop Pickford to a 4.5 i can upgrade Soucek to maybe Podence.
    I Had Martial on my bench GW1 and 4mill in the bank for a transfer to Bruno - yes, massive backfire haha

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd drop Pickford down and up a def. Bissouma is fodder, if he is starting something is not right.

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah i do agree. Pickford astarted well but the 2 goals against WBA a bit of a wake up

  27. Puntillimon
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Does no one think a rejuvenated spurs will put a few past saints tonight? wcs will need to be reconsidered

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why are they rejuvenated?

      1. KING KOUNDER
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cracked me up 😀

    2. PapaWengzz
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I dont think the new signings will start?

  28. waltzingmatildas
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Terrible first gw, and 15 from 4 (-4 and c played)!!
    How does this wc look?
    Martinez button
    James coady saiss ctaylor Mitchell
    Salah kdb greenwood soucek bissouma
    Werner Jimmy dcl

    Have 2.3 itb, so soucek could be foden, or James to robbo

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Still like Soucek. WC looks pretty on point. I'd go Robbo over James - he won't score a worldy every week and might not even keep his place. Chelsea don't exactly scream CSs either.

  29. AnfieldLad
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I don't see the appeal in Zaha. Is that not just points chasing? I understand the importance of form but he's never scored more than 10 goals in a season and he scored 4 last year and it's not as if he's just finding his feet in the prem - it's his 8th season. Surely his goal scoring rate will not continue

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 1 month ago

        10 goals and how many assists he got is decent for his price, could get more with penalties

      • PapaWengzz
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        With Mili out of favour i think 10 could become 15-17

      • Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        What about when Wilf rejoins UTD on Friday after Ed finally realises he has spaffed away the whole summer on someone who is not coming.

      • GreennRed
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It'll improve if can be more consistent. His ability is never in doubt.

      • TAArt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He’s playing up front and is their most advanced player by some distance. He’s played left and right wing before.

    2. Dacra
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Havertz and Werner double up are going to crush wba next week 😀

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'm a keen Chelsea fan, but I don't know how people can be so confident about a new pairing at a new club in a new league! I own Havertz, but could drop him in a flash if he doesn't show more than he did last match.